Harri Anne Smith still plans 2010 run as Republican

State Sen. Harri Anne Smith, R-Slocomb, said she plans to be on the Republican ticket in 2010 when she runs for re-election to the Alabama Senate.

Smith, who was involved in a brutal primary race for the Republican nomination in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, defied party loyalty Monday when she endorsed Democratic nominee Bobby Bright instead of Republican nominee Jay Love.

She said her endorsement of Bright would not hamper her ability to work with Republicans in the Alabama Senate.

“I am a Republican. I will be voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin and a straight Republican ticket, with the exception of one race,” Smith said. “I think the people of the Wiregrass want people representing them who will stand up for integrity and honesty. I believe, of the two candidates, Bobby Bright does have integrity. He has been and will continue to be honest with me.”

Smith sent an e-mail to supporters Tuesday re-affirming her endorsement of Bright and asking them to contribute to his campaign.

Meanwhile, one day after the executive director of the Alabama Republican Party said a former campaign adviser for Smith shopped Smith’s endorsement for $150,000 to pay down her campaign debt, another member of the State GOP Executive Committee said he had a similar conversation last week.

Paul Reynolds, national committeeman for the State Republican Party, said Bill Harris, who worked for Smith’s congressional campaign, told Reynolds on Oct. 15 that Smith intended to endorse Bright in exchange for $150,000 unless state Republicans matched or exceeded the offer.

Reynolds said no “smoking gun” exists to prove the allegations.

“We just know we were given an ultimatum, either come up with $150,000 or she was going to endorse Bright. I can say that emphatically,” Reynolds said.

When contacted by the Dothan Eagle Tuesday, Harris declined comment.

Both Smith and Bright have denied her endorsement had anything to do with money. Smith said she endorsed Bright because “it was the right thing to do.” Bright called the Republican allegations “smear politics at its worst.”

Reynolds said the State Republican Party had no immediate plans to discipline Smith for her endorsement. Later, Alabama GOP chairman Mike Hubbard issued a written statement, saying candidates in the 2010 election cycle would be reviewed at the appropriate time.

“Any decisions to be made regarding candidacy ... will be made by the party’s Candidate Committee, and those decisions will be made pursuant to our bylaws,” Hubbard said. “This is a critical election year, and with 14 days left, we are dedicated to working for our current candidates so that the people of Alabama are represented by strong conservative Republicans, and the race for the Second Congressional District is a perfect example.”