ALGOP Chairman Terry Lathan weighs-in following primary election results
Following Tuesday’s primary’s across the state, Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) Chairman Terry Lathan offered her congratulations to the candidates. “Congratulations to our Alabama Republicans who won their races Tuesday. We are proud of our strong ALGOP candidates for venturing in to the arena of patriot service and running for office,” Lathan said in a statement. “It is not an easy task, but it is important to remember they are protecting Alabama from liberal progressive actions while highlighting solid conservative policies.” She continued, “Congratulations to Governor Kay Ivey on strongly securing the Republican nomination for Governor of Alabama. At the time of this release, Governor Ivey’s vote totals were more than the entire Democratic Gubernatorial field combined.” Lathan went on to encourage Republican voters to participate in the July 17th runoff elections. “We encourage Republicans to join us one more important time, Tuesday, July 17th, to finish choosing our November general election team,” Lathan added. “A vote for an Alabama Republican is a vote for fiscal responsibility, 2nd Amendment rights, tax cuts, strong border security, pro-life legislation, emphasis on our education system and a continued strong economy. These ARE the values that Alabama voters hold and want to see in our state.”
Jo Bonner holds press conference to clear Jim Bonner confusion
Former Congressman Jo Bonner held a press conference in Mobile, Ala. on Friday to clear up any confusion for voters concerning what has become a controversial Public Service Commission race. The confusion comes from Jo Bonner and current PSC candidate Jim Bonner sharing a last name. “To my knowledge, we are not related,” Jo Bonner said at the press conference, according to AL.com. “I do not support him and resent the views he’s expressed in social media.” “I am not voting for the gentleman from North Alabama because, in my opinion, he’s taken to social media and he’s disparaged women, minorities and other groups as well. This doesn’t represent the best of Alabama,” Jo Bonner continued. Jim Bonner, a controversial Republican candidate for the PSC position is unexpectedly polling ahead of his opponent, six-year incumbent Jeremy Oden. Many attribute his lead in the polls to name confusion; but he doesn’t think so. “The short and accurate answer would be no; I do not believe I am leading because people have mistaken me for someone else,” Jim Bonner said. “People are struggling with the idea that a candidate with no special interests money could be leading in the polls. The truth is I lead by the widest margin in fraternal circles where people know my opponent and myself intimately.” But Jo Bonner said he’s been receiving calls from supporters, asking what they can do to help with his race; “I’ve been blessed over the years to know people around the state,” he said during the conference. “I had no interest in coming to Mobile for a press conference, but people have been so good to me over the years and to my family. I’m not trying to get involved in politics again. I am just trying to clear the air for those who might want to vote for someone who they think we may be related. We’re not.” Jo Bonner currently serves as vice-chancellor of economic development at the University of Alabama Systems, a position he has held since 2013 when he resigned from Congress, and does not plan on returning to politics any time soon; while Jim Bonner is battling his own mess with the Alabama Republican Party. The ALGOP censured him on Tuesday for his statements on both social media and the radio, “Mr. Bonner’s recent comments on his social media as well as radio shows are not condoned by the Alabama Republican Party,” said ALGOP Chairman Terry Lathan in the release. “Mr. Bonner is welcome to his opinions and his first amendment right of free speech. The Alabama Republican Party is welcome to our opinion as well, and we reject the egregious comments Mr. Bonner continues to spew.” The party also said they will not be certifying the votes for Jim Bonner. The decision, announced on Thursday means he won’t get the party’s nomination even if he’s the leading vote-getter in Tuesday’s primary. On Friday Jim Bonner said he is appealing the ALGOP’s decision; but it may not matter. Lathan said Bonner’s request for an appeal hearing won’t be considered until Aug. 25, months after the June 5 primary. Jim Bonner faces against incumbent Jeremy Oden in Tuesday’s primary.
Jim Bonner, controversial candidate for PSC, to appeal party decision not to count votes
A statewide candidate censured over “egregious” public comments said Friday that he is appealing the state GOP’s decision to disregard any votes he receives in next week’s primary, but it may not matter. Jim Bonner, who is running for Alabama’s utility-regulating Public Service Commission, said Republican officials could face a backlash if they don’t treat his case seriously. “They risk alienating 1 million voters with this,” he said. But party chair Terry Lathan said Bonner’s request for an appeal hearing won’t be considered until Aug. 25, weeks after Tuesday’s election, and the full state executive committee would have to agree to hear it. Bonner, 65, is a former community college teacher and two-time delegate to the Republican National Convention. Party officials this week censured the Phil Campbell man over comments he made on social media and radio that could be offensive to groups including women, blacks, Jews and Muslims. The party took the added step Thursday of saying it wouldn’t certify Bonner’s votes against Public Service Commissioner Jeremy Oden. “When our state party chooses to take these steps, it is a serious and rare occurrence. We strongly believe that this is one of those solemn moments. This vote was carefully considered and was not taken lightly,” Lathan said in a statement. The decision came during a telephone conference call in which Bonner said he told a party committee he was being outrageous partly to attract free publicity since he has raised little money and can’t afford advertising. “I can’t get on the radio and do a lot of advertising about me or my opponent,” Bonner said in an interview. Bonner said Republican leaders are against him because he’s campaigning for tighter regulation of the politically powerful Alabama Power Co. While Bonner hasn’t held elected office, he may be benefiting from his last name. The Montgomery-based political consulting firm Cyngal said a recent survey showed Bonner in a tight race with Oden among decided voters, although nearly 70 percent of voters are undecided. The firm said voters may be picking Bonner because former U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner used to represent southwest Alabama in Congress, and Jo Bonner’s sister Judy Bonner was president of the University of Alabama. Jim Bonner said he is a distant relative of the brother and sister but has no relationship with either. In a bid to clear up any confusion, Jo Bonner held a news conference in Mobile on Friday to say he’s not running for office. He said he doesn’t know that he’s ever met Jim Bonner and doesn’t believe they are related. Jo Bonner told reporters he has received calls “from all over the state” recently from people who mistakenly thought he was re-entering politics. Republished with permission from the Associated Press.
ALGOP censures PSC candidate James Bonner for questionable social media posts, interviews
Terry Lathan, and the Alabama Republican Party are having none of it. The ALGOP Chairwoman issued a statement on Tuesday night, condemning and censuring Public Service Commissioner Place 1 candidate, James “Jim” Bonner‘s opinions, expressed on his radio show, and on social media. “The Alabama Republican Party Candidate Committee voted unanimously to publicly censure and strongly condemn Mr. Jim Bonner, candidate for Public Service Commission, Place 1,” said Lathan in the release. “Mr. Bonner’s recent comments on his social media as well as radio shows are not condoned by the Alabama Republican Party. Mr. Bonner is welcome to his opinions and his first amendment right of free speech. The Alabama Republican Party is welcome to our opinion as well, and we reject the egregious comments Mr. Bonner continues to spew.” “Furthermore, the ALGOP Candidate Committee unanimously urges Republican voters in the June 5 primary to NOT cast votes for Jim Bonner for the Public Service Commission, Place 1.” Bonner has been under constant criticism for a series of “questionable” posts on social media calling him anti-Semitic and racist. “In post after post, Bonner seems to revel in racist, sexist and anti-semite comments, but this has dampened his support among those who think he is someone he’s not,” wrote APR. Despite all of this, Bonner is doing fairly well in polls, particularly in Mobile and surrounding areas. He shares a last name with retired Congressman Jo Bonner, and because of the popularity of the Bonner family name, Jim Bonner is seeing some success. Bonner faces off against Jeremy Oden in the June 5 primary.
ALGOP Chair Terry Lathan slams Doug Jones over opposition of CIA nominee
On Tuesday, Alabama’s newly elected junior senator, Democrat Doug Jones cast his vote again Gina Haspel to be confirmed as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Now, the Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party is calling him out for opposing the confirmation. Lathan says Jones “is choosing to put partisanship over our nation’s security.” And that “Alabama voters will remember this when they head to the polls to choose their next U.S. Senator in 2020.” Read Lathan’s full statement below: Alabama United States Senator Doug Jones’ decision to deny a vote to confirm Gina Haspel, a highly qualified CIA veteran with three decades of experience, is shameful at best. The recipient of several prestigious awards (including the prestigious George H.W. Bush Award for Excellence in Counterterrorism) and positive recommendations by three former CIA directors, Ms. Haspel is more than deserving of a confirmation by the U.S Senate. Senator Jones says he will not vote to confirm Ms. Haspel because of her stance on the agency’s former torture policy which she denounced as wrong and as a practice that will not be continued. Several Democrats and the Senate Intelligence Committee have approved Gina Haspel for a confirmation as CIA director. With this much steady support for the nominee, what valid reason does Senator Jones have to not cast a yes vote for this confirmation? In voting no to confirm Gina Haspel, Senator Jones is choosing to put partisanship over our nation’s security. Alabama voters will remember this when they head to the polls to choose their next U.S. Senator in 2020. Alabama and President Trump vow to put America First. This decision by Senator Jones simply does not do that.
Women of Influence: Republican Party State Chairman Terry Lathan
Starting her political involvement at the age of 18, Terry Lathan has been a driving force for the Alabama Republican party for over 40 years. A native of Mobile, Ala. Lathan earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Auburn University at Montgomery, and taught fifth and sixth grade in a public school for a decade. She went on to serve as a Board member to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater South Alabama, and in 2012 was named the Boys and Girls Club Alabama Board Member of the Year — out of 735 members. In 2013 graduated from Leadership Mobile, a program whose mission is to train and empower leaders in Mobile who are committed to supporting and leading community growth and progress. Her years spent as en educator came full-circle when was appointed by former Gov. Robert Bentley in 2011 to the Alabama State Mathematics Textbook Committee. A longtime sustaining donor to the Women’s Resource Center, a Pro-Life Organization in Mobile, Lathan has also served there as a counselor and Life Chain coordinator. Political career Lathan’s career in politics started in In 1977, when she volunteered for former Governor of Alabama Guy Hunt‘s campaign. Since that time she has served in many different capacities for several campaigns including: former President Ronald Reagan‘s, both of George W. Bush‘s in 2000 and 2004; was an Alabama College Elector for former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney in 2012, and a RNC delegate to the 2016 Republican National Convention from Alabama, supporting President Donald Trump at the convention. She has been a member of the Alabama Republican Executive Committee since 1990, and became county chair of the Mobile County Republican Party in 2010. In 2004, 2010 and 2014 she and her husband Jerry Lathan won the Alabama Republican of the Year awards. She is also a winner of the Mobile County Republican Party Lifetime Achievement Award, 2008. In 2015 Lathan was elected chair of the Alabama Republican party, a position she still holds today; pledging to work toward transparency and unity within the Republican Party. It’s safe to say, Lathan is a political sage, with many years of experience in the political world. She was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer some of Alabama Today’s questions about her life, work and influences: How have other women influenced your success? The first day of school I went home and announced I wanted to be a teacher. My teachers mesmerized me. I had a great desire, even at six, to be like them. The strength, compassion and caring they had was a huge influence on me. They modeled that anyone could do anything they wanted in life. I taught 5th and 6th grades for ten years. I then wanted to spend time with my two children helping at their school so I stepped away from teaching. I still miss being in a classroom. What shaped your desire to work with education and government? I love children and teaching. If I have a choice of standing at a political event or sitting on the floor with children, I’ll be down on the floor. I also love mentoring teens and College Republicans. When I was a teenager and started tuning in to current events, I became very pro-life. I realized I could never be a part of a political party who fights for the destruction of unborn children. My life values and Democrat actions clashed inside of me. I would do what I could to use our system to get in that arena. History and the love of country greatly appealed to me- the military, veterans, first responders and volunteers who helped others in times of need. I also grew to recognize that more freedom and less government in our lives ramped up my interest in volunteering in the Republican Party. Instead of reading or hearing about issues I disagreed with, I simply started volunteering to change things. What has been your favorite area of service, and what is your favorite thing about that position? Meeting thousands of Republicans who love Alabama and America is up lifting. I have visited all 67 counties meeting with Republican committees, clubs, auxiliary groups, elected officials and grassroots activists. Helping fellow citizens to win elections with conservative issues is still exciting after forty years. I love teaching about the mechanics of elections, new technology uses and sharing the conservative policies of the Republican Party. Being a teacher didn’t end for me in a classroom door. I love sharing information with my Republican teammates. I also try to be a political ambassador that believes raising the bar of decency, integrity and putting people first in politics is imperative. We have so many great public servants who work hard everyday. I reject the sayings of “They’re all like that” or “That’s just politics”. That’s a false excuse that should never be accepted for lowering the bar of expectations of public service. I try to share that message everywhere I speak. Have you read any books that have shaped your perspective on life? Other than the Bible, there is not one particular book that has shaped my perspective. I was moved by the autobiography of former slave and Republican Frederick Douglass. His story is breathtaking and gives a foundation of freedom, will power and strength that everyone should read. From a slave who died a millionaire and counseled several presidents, it’s a true story of the power of the human spirit. What advice would you give to young women who want to work in education or politics? Jump in. Find a place to use your strengths. Be prepared to lose some along with the wins, but keep going. Know that not everyone will always agree with you politically, but that’s with everything in life. Don’t back down on something you feel strongly about but learn to work with what you can. Be patient and keep going forward no matter what. Always remember the big picture. How do you spend your (rare) free time? My GOP state chairman position is a volunteer job which runs 30-50 hours a week. We
Alabama GOP stands behind Roy Moore amid assault allegations
The Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) Thursday evening said it is standing behind the party’s Senate nominee Roy Moore as they offered their continued support ahead of the Dec. 12 general election. Moore has been under fire since The Washington Post published an explosive report last Thursday afternoon with the accounts of four women who claim he sexually pursued them when he was in his 30s and they were in their teens. As of Thursday evening, a total of nine women have levied accusations against Moore. The news has caused rapid fallout from dozens within the Republican Party who have called on him to withdraw his name from next month’s special election if the allegations are true, but the ALGOP is breaking rank with the national party standing behind the former Alabama Chief Justice. “The ALGOP Steering Committee supports Judge Roy Moore as our nominee and trusts the voters as they make the ultimate decision in this crucial race,” said Chair of the Alabama Republican Party, Terry Lathan, in a statement. “Judge Moore has vehemently denied the allegations made against him. He deserves to be presumed innocent of the accusations unless proven otherwise. He will continue to take his case straight to the people of Alabama.” According to Lathan, ALGOP Steering Committee, comprised of 21 members, met Wednesday evening to discuss the situation surrounding Moore. “We are very grateful for the multitudes that have reached out to us with support and prayers. We ask God to guide us, politically and personally, with His mighty strength and wisdom. In turn, we also pray that justice and truth will prevail for all involved in this situation,” Lathan concluded. Moore’s campaign Chairman Bill Armistead responded to the ALGOP’s statement of support on behalf of the campaign. “I appreciate Chairman Terry Lathan and the Alabama Republican Party standing strong behind Judge Moore,” said Armistead. “As Chairman Lathan alluded, there are sharp policy differences between Judge Moore and the Democratic nominee. Judge Moore will work closely with President Trump to rebuild a strong military, confirm strict constitutionalists to the courts, and reform and simplify the tax code, while the Democratic nominee supports Obamacare, partial-birth abortion and far-left liberals on the Supreme Court.” “The political establishment and the national media have put a bullseye on Judge Moore because he’s a conservative outsider who will go to Washington to fight for our values, but the voters of Alabama – the people who know him best – aren’t fooled by these tricks and lies. Judge Moore will spend the next three weeks traveling the state and speaking directly to the voters about job growth, tax reform, rebuilding the military, and stopping the overreach of liberal judges. ”
Could Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville become Alabama’s next governor?
The race for Alabama’s next governor might include a surprising contender: former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville. According to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports, Tuberville will likely make a decision on whether he will run in a week or two based on the results of a statewide phone poll said to involve about 50,000 people. Alabama Republican Party chair Terry Lathan said the former coach might stand a chance given the election of President Donald Trump, while political consultant Steve French said: “Tommy would stand a slugger’s chance of getting elected.” “Everybody wants non-politicians now,” said a person from Tuberville’s camp. “Eighty-percent of it is name recognition.” Tuberville spent 10 seasons as Auburn’s head coach and notched an SEC conference title and undefeated season during his 2004 campaign. Since leaving the Tigers in after the 2009 season, he has served as head coach for Texas Tech and Cincinnati, where he resigned from at the end of the 2016 season. Still, the source of Tuberville’s name recognition might be his most divisive quality when it comes to politics – especially in Alabama, one of few states where school allegiance may trump political leanings. Fifty-eight percent of the state’s elected officials are Republican, and it’s no secret the majority of state’s fans support Alabama. French, however, said Tuberville might be able to connect with fans of his former employer’s rival by emphasizing education. “If you can connect with voters on an education message, that’s a big plus,” he said. “Tommy has recruited. He’s seen underprivileged youth come into his program and go out the other door and be a successful professional the rest of their life.”
Donald Trump to return to Alabama for huge ‘thank you’ rally
Plans are in the works to bring President-elect Donald Trump back to the Yellowhammer State this month during this “Thank You Tour.” Trump kicked off his tour Thursday night with a rally in Cincinnati, Ohio, the battleground state where he won a critical election-night victory. “We have so many problems to fix in this country but if we must set aside our differences. We’re a very divided nation, but we are not going to be divided for long, I have always brought people together, I know you find that hard to believe,” Trump said in Cincinnati. “We are going to bring our country back together, and we will get the job done properly. America will start winning again, big league, we will win again.” While an Alabama date has yet to be made public, a stop in Mobile seems inevitable. “It’s not just going to go to swing states,” Jennifer Jacobs of Bloomberg Politics said earlier this week on MSNBC. “We know the schedule, it was given to us for planning purposes but hasn’t been released publicly yet. One place they’re going to go is Mobile, Alabama, which is a place that is really special for Trump and his campaign. They attracted 30,000 people there last summer. It was a symbolic moment for them when they really realized they had a movement going on and could take this somewhere.” Alabama Republican Party Chairwoman Terry Lathan confirmed Thursday that efforts are in fact in place to bring Trump back to the Port City for a victory-lap.
Robert Bentley asks GOP Committee for Senate appointee names
Gov. Robert Bentley is asking the Alabama Republican Executive Committee to suggest who should replace U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions. The governor sent a request to the 400-plus committee members seeking their input on who he should appoint to fill Sessions’ seat. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Sessions to be his U.S. attorney general. Republican Party Chairwoman Terry Lathan said she is glad the governor is seeking input from Republicans who have helped build the party. She said the decision is ultimately the governor’s. The governor asked committee members to submit names by Dec. 1. A spokeswoman for Bentley said last week the governor’s legal office is researching if an appointed senator would have to run in a quickly called special election or run in 2018. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
AL GOP Chairwoman Terry Lathan standing behind Donald Trump, says ‘Never Hillary’
Terry Lathan isn’t prepared to bail on Donald Trump. The Alabama Republican Party chairwoman issued a statement on Monday following the second presidential debate saying that her support for the Republican presidential nominee is not wavering despite recent release of his lewd conduct caught on tape 11 years ago. “The last 60 hours have been very unconventional in a presidential election,” said Lathan in the statement. “The 11-year-old leaked Trump tape had reprehensible words, and even worse, a disrespectful and juvenile attitude toward women. No on can or will defend this type of lewd conduct.” Lathan continued, “Mr. Trump has apologized for this behavior and called his own words ’embarrassing.’ He is correct. He also has said that’s not the type of person he is now. This is a very teachable moment for him as well as ourselves.” While Lathan does not condone his crude comments, she says voters backed Trump knowing his style and past. “Donald Trump is the Republican nominee that our primary voters chose, in record-breaking numbers, fully aware of his past and style,” explained Lathan. “He is also the one person to stop Hillary Clinton and halt the liberal erosion of our nation.” While Lathan is hopeful of female president in the future, she does not believe Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is the right person for the job. “We must protect America’s future with President Donald Trump,” continued Lathan. “I am a woman who looks forward to the day a woman is president of our beloved nation, but not Hillary Clinton. Voting for a person to make a cultural statement rather than a policy statement is dangerous. Not this time, Mrs. Clinton. Never Hillary!” Lathan’s comment come after several prominent Alabama Republicans have pulled their support from Trump, including Gov. Robert Bentley along with Alabama 1st District U.S. Congressman Bradley Byrne, and Alabama 2nd District U.S. Congresswoman Martha Roby. Read Lathan’s full statement below: The last sixty hours have been very unconventional in a presidential election. The eleven year old leaked Trump tape had reprehensible words, and even worse, a disrespectful and juvenile attitude toward women. No on can or will defend this type of lewd conduct. Mr. Trump has apologized for this behavior and called his own words ’embarrassing’. He is correct. He also has said that’s not the type of person he is now. This is a very teachable moment for him as well as ourselves. This is also a wake up call for America to look in the mirror at the erosion of our culture. We need to ask ourselves what we can do to end the bitter divisiveness in our beloved nation. How can we find much needed common ground for Reagan’s ‘shining city on a hill’? She’s still there, but she’s a bit tarnished and needs polishing by her owners — “We, the people.” It’s time to choose a direction for America. It is imperative that we look ahead to envision what a United States Supreme Court would look like with liberal Hillary Clinton judges. As mentioned by Mr. Trump in his strong debate performance, we must defend our second amendment rights, have a get tough foreign policy, stand strong against crime, enforce our immigration laws, lower our taxes, reign in the power of a runaway government and stop the spiraling out of control cost of Obamacare from crushing our families. Our votes will choose the direction we are about to take. The stroke of our pens will decide if we continue the liberal path or change directions. With the fragile balance of the Supreme Court awaiting our decision, there is a clear choice for a conservative America. Donald Trump is the Republican nominee that our primary voters chose, in record breaking numbers, fully aware of his past and style. He is also the one person to stop Hillary Clinton and halt the liberal erosion of our nation. We must protect America’s future with President Donald Trump. I am a woman who looks forward to the day a woman is president of our beloved nation, but not Hillary Clinton. Voting for a person to make a cultural statement rather than a policy statement is dangerous. Not this time, Mrs. Clinton. Never Hillary!
Email insights: ALGOP Chair urges Republicans to unite behind Trump
Alabama GOP Chairman Terry Lathan urged her fellow Republicans to “unite” behind Trump, who she called the “presumptive nominee” in an email Thursday morning. Find the text of the email below. Fellow Republican, I would like to begin by acknowledging and thanking all the Republican candidates who ran for the presidency this primary cycle. I want to specifically recognize Senator Ted Cruz and Governor John Kasich for their outstanding commitment to the Party’s cause throughout their campaigns. Tuesday’s decisive victory in Indiana’s GOP Primary, made it clear that business leader Mr. Donald J. Trump will be the presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee. Mr. Trump’s current delegate count stands at 1,047, placing him well within the finish line of winning the 1,237 delegates needed for our Party’s nomination. Donald Trump is no stranger to Alabama. Shortly after announcing his candidacy last summer, one of Mr. Trump’s earliest campaign stops was in August 2015 to Mobile. The rally drew an estimated 30,000 people to Ladd-Peebles Stadium after relocating from the civic center to accommodate the crowd! He again visited the Birmingham area in November 2015, where over 2,000 supporters gathered in the BJCC Arena. The third visit by the Trump campaign was in Madison this past February. The rally drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 people to the Madison City Stadium. In our state’s March 1 GOP Primary Election, Alabama voters selected Donald Trump as their presidential preference which earned him 43% of the total vote. Our focus must now be unifying our Party to take back the White House. To quote RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, “Unity makes the impossible possible.” Our unity will be seen worldwide this summer in Cleveland at our National Convention, but more importantly on November 8, 2016, as we defeat Hillary Clinton. Contribute now to support the Alabama Republican Party in our efforts to Take. It. Back. Terry Lathan Chairman, Alabama Republican Party
