Angela Harris, whose daughter Aniah Blanchard was murdered in 2019 and whose advocacy helped create Alabama’s Aniah’s Law, endorsed Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey for Alabama Attorney General. Harris and Casey also urged voters to support Amendme
When Angela Harris walked through what she called “every parent’s worst nightmare. ” she said it reshaped her view of what Alabama needs from its top law enforcement officials.. On Thursday. Harris announced her endorsement of Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey for Alabama Attorney General. placing her support at the center of Casey’s campaign.
Harris. the mother of Aniah Blanchard—whose 2019 murder helped inspire the passage of Aniah’s Law in Alabama—said the state should put victims and accountability ahead of politics.. “After walking through every parent’s worst nightmare. I know how important it is to have leaders in law enforcement who truly understand victims and who are willing to fight for them. ” Harris said.. “Pamela Casey has spent her career standing with victims and putting violent criminals behind bars.. She is not a career politician — she is a prosecutor with real courtroom experience. and Alabama needs that experience as Attorney General.”
Casey. in an official statement. embraced Harris’ endorsement and tied it to her broader pitch to voters ahead of the Republican primary.. “No parent should ever endure the pain Angela Harris and her family have faced,” Casey said.. “Through unimaginable tragedy, she has become an advocate for victims across Alabama.. Her strength and courage have inspired so many people, including me.. I am honored to have her endorsement and will continue fighting every day for victims. families. and the safety of our communities.”
Harris’ endorsement arrives as voters weigh changes to Alabama’s bail standards for certain violent crimes.. Approved by Alabama voters in 2022 following advocacy from Harris and others. Aniah’s Law allows judges to deny pre-trial bail for specific violent offenses. including first-degree kidnapping. robbery. arson. rape and sodomy.
Casey said she supports Aniah’s Law and amplified the family’s push for a broader measure on the ballot.. Both Harris and Casey also backed Amendment 1. a ballot measure intended to expand Aniah’s Law to apply to other crimes. including solicitation. attempt. or conspiracy to commit murder. and discharging a firearm. explosive or other weapon into an occupied building or vehicle.
For Harris. the argument is rooted in what she described as the consequences of keeping dangerous offenders out of the community.. “Too many dangerous offenders are being released back into our communities while awaiting trial,” Harris said.. “Amendment 1 is about protecting families and ensuring more violent offenders are not back on the streets while their cases are pending.. I encourage Alabamians to vote YES on Amendment 1.”
Casey echoed that framing and pointed to her work as a prosecutor.. “As a prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the danger posed when violent offenders are released while awaiting trial,” she said.. “Amendment 1 will help keep dangerous criminals off the streets and make our communities safer.. I strongly encourage voters to support it on May 19.”
The endorsements also highlight the pressure Casey is facing within her own party. Casey will square off next week in the Republican primary against former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell and Katherine Robertson.
Casey cast the contrast as a question of courtroom experience and direct advocacy for victims. “Victims deserve an Attorney General who has actually stood in a courtroom fighting for them,” she said. “That experience matters.”
Alabama politics Pamela Casey Attorney General Angela Harris Aniah Blanchard Aniah’s Law Amendment 1 bail reform Blount County District Attorney Jay Mitchell Katherine Robertson