This is an opinion column. Eight and half years ago, Donald Trump was elbowing his way through a crowded field of Republican primary opponents.
Kyle Whitmire is a state political columnist at AL.com. He focuses on political culture in Alabama, critiquing corruption and incompetence while highlighting principled individuals who strive to improve their communities. His work has been featured in syracuse.com and he has received numerous accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2023.