Siegelman says he's staying in race

MONTGOMERY -- Former Gov. Don Siegelman says he will not drop out of the race for governor even if his federal trial on racketeering and conspiracy charges is not completed before the June 6 primary-elections.

Siegelman acknowledged Thursday that he is having trouble raising money in his race for the Democratic nomination for governor because of the indictment, but he predicted that he would "raise more money than anyone has ever raised in a governor's race'' once he is cleared of the federal charges.

"Of course I'm going to stay in the race. That (dropping out) is exactly what these people want,'' Siegelman said, referring to federal prosecutors. Siegelman, former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy and two members of the former governor's Cabinet have been charged in a government corruption indictment. Siegelman repeated his claim that the charges are intended to prevent him from winning a second term as governor.

Siegelman has asked for an early trial date, so that his case can be wrapped up before the primary. The trial judge, U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller, has said the trial could begin as early as March.

Siegelman said finding campaign contributions has been a challenge.

"Have you ever tried to raise money when under indictment? It's difficult,'' he said.

The former governor made the comments after a news conference he called to criticize Republican Gov. Bob Riley's "State of the State'' speech Tuesday night. Siegelman has written a letter to Riley which says the governor took credit for improvements in state government that "you didn't do'' and asks the governor to issue an executive order that property be reappraised for tax purposes every four years rather than every year.

Siegelman said the Riley administration's move to annual reappraisals "resulted in property tax increases each and every year.''

Riley's campaign consultant, Dax Swatek, issued a statement saying state law requires the annual reappraisals and that if the Legislature passes a bill calling for reappraisals every four years the governor will sign it.

"When Don Siegelman left office, Alabama was broke and bleeding jobs. By cutting waste and creating jobs, Bob Riley has worked to turn Siegelman's record deficit into a record surplus,'' Swatek said. Riley is seeking re-election.

Siegelman questioned Riley's plans for a surplus in the education budget, which the governor has said could reach as high as $1 billion. The governor's plan includes a $500,000 construction program for Alabama schools and colleges.