Moving up the ranks: Rep. Gary Palmer elected to House leadership team
House Republicans chose their leadership team for the next Congress on Wednesday and among them is Alabama 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer. Palmer, who first joined Congress in 2015, was elected to the position of Republican Policy Committee Chair for the 116th Congress — the fifth highest ranking leadership position among House Republicans. Prior to this, Palmer served as the Vice Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee. “I appreciate the faith that my colleagues have placed in me and am grateful for their support,” Palmer said in a statement. “Throughout my career, I have focused on being a problem solver and developing and promoting sound policies, so I feel like I’m uniquely prepared for this role. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we continue advancing and promoting ideas supported by the American people.” Established in 1949 by the House Republican Conference, the Republican Policy Committee (RPC) is a place for Republicans in the House to generate quality legislative proposals. More specifically, “The RPC serves as an advisory Committee to House Republicans and provides a forum for Republican Members to discuss legislative proposals before the House. The Committee reports its findings and suggestions for consideration to the Republican Conference,” according to the RPC website. In his new role Palmer will tap into the experience and skill sets he developed at the Alabama Policy Institute (API), where he served as president for 24 years. During his tenure, the API became a full-spectrum public policy organization that engaged in virtually all policy issues that affected Alabamians. It is considered the premier conservative think-tank in Alabama. Palmer also sits on the House Budget Committee and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. His Alabama House colleagues congratulated him following his election to the position. Congratulations to Alabama’s own @USRepGaryPalmer on being elected Policy Chair of @HouseGOP! https://t.co/rP9dFkpwBW — Rep. Bradley Byrne (@RepByrne) November 14, 2018 A big congratulations to my friend and Alabama delegation colleague @USRepGaryPalmer for being elected House GOP Policy Chair. Proud of you! — Rep. Martha Roby (@RepMarthaRoby) November 14, 2018 Your new House GOP leadership pic.twitter.com/UXyU2wrw94 — Elaina Plott (@elainaplott) November 14, 2018 Palmer pictured on the left. Palmer will serve in the GOP’s leadership team alongside: Minority Leader: Rep. Kevin McCarthy Minority Whip: Rep. Steve Scalise Conference Committee Chair: Rep. Liz Cheney Conference Committee Vice Chair: Rep. Mark Walker Conference Committee Secretary: Rep. Jason Smith National Republican Campaign Committee Chair: Rep. Tom Emmer
Failed Democrat candidate Danner Kline takes to social media in search of employment
He may not have seen victory on Election Day, but that’s not stopping one former House candidate from asking his could-have-been constituents for help in finding his next opportunity. Former House candidate Danner Kline, an early leader of Alabama’s craft beer industry, resigned from his position as founder of Free the Hops to run against U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer in Alabama’s 6th District this election cycle. On Tuesday, he lost 69 to 31 percent. But by Thursday, Kline had taken to social media asking for help in finding a job. “Hey y’all. I resigned from my job to put everything I had into my run for Congress, and we could really use my income again,” Kline posted on Facebook. “…But if you know of any opportunities, please let me know. I wasn’t able to put any time into a job search prior to the election because I was entirely focused on the task at hand.” While many candidates wouldn’t think ask for help online, Kline’s no stranger to playing outside of the box. In 2004, his frustration with Alabama’s Prohibition-era regulations on beer prompted him to start Free The Hops, the grassroots organization that successfully lobbied to eliminate those regulations. These efforts allowed the brewing industry to thrive in the Yellowhammer State for the first time in a hundred years. In fact, there were no breweries in the state when Free The Hops began, but there are now over 25 with more on the way. Read his full post below:
Alabama Republican Gary Palmer bests Democrat Danner Kline, wins re-election to House
Republican U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer has won a third term, defeating Democrat and an early leader of Alabama’s craft beer industry Danner Kline in Alabama’s 2nd District. With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, Palmer bested Kline 69.3 to 30.7 percent. Alabama’s 6th Congressional District includes nearly all of Jefferson County outside Birmingham, and the entirety of Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Coosa, and Shelby counties.
