Alabama Politics: Remembering "Big Jim" Folsom

With the 2026 elections already buzzing, the political scene can feel a little…sterile. Endless TV ads, mailers, and robocalls – remember when campaigns were actually FUN? Let's throw it back to the mid-20th century, when Alabama politics were a form of entertainment, and no one embodied that more than Gov. James E. “Big Jim” Folsom.

The Legend of "Big Jim"

Folsom's rallies were legendary. Picture this: a bluegrass band called "The Strawberry Pickers" warming up the crowd, then "Big Jim" – a towering 6'8" figure with size 16 shoes – stepping up.

The Barefoot Ritual

Before each rally, Folsom had a unique ritual. As the Montgomery Advertiser once reported, he'd announce he was tired and needed to rest. Then, he'd remove his shoes (making sure everyone saw he wasn't wearing socks!) and stretch out on the ground. After a while, he'd sit up, brush the dirt from his toes, put his shoes back on, and get ready to work the crowd.

A Speech Like No Other

Then came the speech! It was a mix of praise for the "pretty women" in the audience, stories about his "old mule," and, of course, memories of his mama's turnip greens. He'd also throw in some disapproval for the current state government, promising to shake things up.

Folsom explained his barefoot ritual simply: "Can’t think when my feet hurt, so I took off the shoes. Helps my thinkin’ to be able to wiggle my toes.”

Turnip Greens Wisdom

And those turnip greens? They were a recurring theme. Here's a snippet from one of Folsom's speeches:

"Turnip greens. I remember my mama who would be cookin’ turnip greens... hitting’ those turnip greens on her hand, put’em in water…I didn't know what she was hittin’ those turnip greens on her hand for until I turned 19... I was eatin’ turnip greens — the first store-bought turnip greens I ever ate, and I got into the turnip greens and tastin’ sand, and right then I knew what ma was hittin’ those turnip greens on her hand for. Black eyed peas, cornbread, turnip greens, throw that in that black iron pot. Mama’s old black iron pot didn’t do so bad.”

A Bygone Era?

Can you imagine a modern candidate launching into a speech about turnip greens? Probably not. But, wouldn't it be amazing if they did?