Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley used former Gov. Don Siegelman's no-show at the Butler County Democratic Executive Committee's annual fish and grits supper to cement a few more votes in hopes of earning herself the Democratic nomination for governor in the June 6 primary.

Baxely assured Butler County Democrats attending that she was the only nominee who could wrest control of the state's highest office away from Gov. Bob Riley and the Republicans.

Siegelman, the former governor, has been on trial in federal court for the past four weeks and was unable to attend Thursday night's event held at the Butler County Fairgrounds.

&#8220People say to me that they haven't heard much about my campaign,” Baxley said. &#8220But newspaper and television advertising has become more expensive and the only ones getting free advertising is the incumbent governor and my opponent (Siegelman) in the June primary because he's on trial.”

While attending, Baxley enjoyed a meal of fried fish, sweet cole slaw and grits along side Butler County's Democratic elected officials. The Democratic Executive Committees of Butler and Crenshaw Counties jointly sponsored the event. Pepsi of Luverne furnished the soft drinks.

Baxley - dressed not in her trademark red, but yellow – briefly visited the kitchen and introduced herself.

&#8220I've learned that you always need to get in the kitchen and say hello,” she joked.

John Andrews, Chairman of the

BCDEC, said the turn out was lighter than he thought it would be. But, he said, that could be expected with McKenzie High School's graduation exercises and an event at the YMCA on-going at the same time.

&#8220We thank you loyal Democrats for coming out,” Andrews told the crowd.