Are the Democrats down to Harry Lyon, the Pelham lawyer and Alabama’s perennial candidate for governor to put up against Gov. Robert Bentley in 2014? I haven’t talked with Harry, but he’s always a threat to run and it helps his law practice.

They may be down to Harry. It is doubtful former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb would challenge Bentley. I suspect she’ll likely have her eyes on other things next year or would prefer to wait until the governor serves out his second term and not have to run against an incumbent.

House Democratic leader Craig Ford of Gadsden and State Sen. Billy Beasley of Clio are also being discussed as possible candidates. The name of former Surgeon General Regina Benjamin has been mentioned in media accounts as a possibility, but a more attractive possibility for her could be the seat in Congress being vacated by Rep. Jo Bonner, who is now earning a six-digit figure from the University of Alabama in addition to his hefty retirement check from Washington.

Beasley told me a while back he’s not interested and will seek re-election to his Senate seat. Ford says he has several things under consideration but most capital pundits expect he will stay put in the House of Representatives.

Some Democrats believe it’s too late to think about running against a fairly popular governor and think it would be better to concentrate of taking back a few legislative seats. That’s the course I believe I would follow were I in charge of making such a decision.

Saban lake mansion goes for big bucks

Nick Saban just sold his $11 million dollar summer home on Lake Burton, nestled in North Georgia’s Appalachian Mountains. New York’s Concierge Auctions has announced that what they called “the banner sale” of The Pointe estate. It has more than 700 feet of lake-frontage and a 270-degree cascading mountain, lake, six bedrooms and nine bathrooms and sunset views serving as the backdrop. Eight bidders competed for a chance to own the property.

“This is the highest sale price on the lake in many years,” Ed West of Ed West Realty, Inc said. He has represented buyers and sellers on Lake Burton for the past 40 years.

“I’ve been familiar with this property from the beginning — throughout its construction. It was developed for a family to use and enjoy, and my clients, their children and grandchildren will certainly do so” he says.

Global marketing campaign generated over 31,600 website visits for the property from 49 US states (led by Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Florida and Texas) and 49 international countries (led by Canada, the UK, Germany, Australia and Ireland). A total of 2,821 prospects were identified, and 8 bidders participated in the sale.

Located at 112 Whipporwill Lane in Clayton, Ga., The Pointe is situated on one of Lake Burton’s most prime lots. Built with natural local stone, reclaimed timber beams and heart pine and Pennsylvania Bluestone flooring, the 9,600-square-foot estate offers unparalleled quality, innovation and meticulous attention to detail. Outside, the property features a custom boat house with a swimming dock and an authentic, Cape Cod-style stone lighthouse, which showcases amazing 270-degree lake and mountain views.

If you need a loan give Nick a call. If you want great photos of the house, search Google for “Saban lake house.”

Bob Martin is editor and publisher of The Montgomery Independent. Email him at: bob@montgomeryindependent.com.