ALGOP blasts Doug Jones over Brett Kavanaugh decision: ‘His NO vote betrays our state’
U.S. Sen. Doug Jones publicly confirmed on Thursday he will vote against the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, which led Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan to release a sharply worded statement blasting the newly elected senator’s decision. Before digging into Jones, Lathan first stopped to thank Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby for his support of Kavanaugh. “The Alabama Republican Party thanks Senator Richard Shelby for representing our state and committing to cast a YES vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court,” said Lathan. She continued, “Senator Doug Jones has now said he will vote NO on the confirmation of Judge Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. His NO vote betrays our state and his actions highlight his disingenuous promise to represent the majority of Alabamians.” Lathan says Jones’ “no” vote shows he is in the “Schumer/Feinstein/Warren/Sanders column” and is now a “full-fledged member of the ‘Never Trump’ resistance.” “After siding against Alabamians and President Trump, Senator Jones is now firmly in the Schumer/Feinstein/Warren/Sanders column. With his experience as an attorney, it is shocking that he is willing to betray the right of due process. This ‘seek and destroy’ hijacking of one of the most qualified court nominees in our lifetime is an abomination to our nation’s most fundamental principles of fairness,” Lathan added. “Alabama will not forget his betrayal. Senator Doug Jones’ days in the United States Senate are numbered,” Lathan added. “Anyone who experiences an assault should be taken seriously. All avenues should be exhausted to help a victim and to find the truth pertinent to each individual situation. It is clear Dr. Ford suffered from a traumatic event in her youth, and like Judge Kavanaugh’s daughter, we should pray for her to receive strength, peace and healing. Nevertheless, there was no case made that Brett Kavanaugh was involved in her incident. Actually, the opposite happened as witnesses she named refuted her story and Kavanaugh convincingly denies it.” “The one thing we are confident of is this: Senator Doug Jones’ nameplate on his office door in the halls of the United States Senate will be replaced by Alabamians in 2020,” she concluded.
ALGOP Chair: time is now for Doug Jones to decide if he’s with Chuck Schumer or Alabama
The confirmation hearings for President Donald Trump‘s Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) pick, Judge Brett Kavanaugh, began Tuesday. If confirmed by the Senate, Kavanaugh will take the seat currently held by retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy. The confirmation hearings are expected to be the scene of highly partisan battle over the future high court, where Alabama’s junior Senator, Doug Jones, among a handful of other Democratic senators in red states, are facing pressure to confirm Trump’s SCOTUS nominee. On Tuesday, the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) Chairman Terry Lathan asserted the State Party’s support for Kavanaugh and called on Jones to “decide to either vote with Chuck Schumer or with Alabama.” “The Alabama Republican Party strongly supports Judge Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the United States Supreme Court. A brilliant and fair mainstream jurist with over 20 years of public service on the bench, Judge Kavanaugh is thoroughly qualified to serve on the High Court of our great nation,” said Lathan.” Political theatre Kavanaugh’s confirmation has already been overtaken by political theatre as Democratic lawmakers delayed the start of the hearing by more than an hour saying they lack of important information about the judge’s record. “Helpful reminder: Democrats didn’t show up to see sensitive documents that were made available to them, the idea the hearing should be delayed because they haven’t read material is quite laughable,” tweeted Sen. Orrin Hatch‘s office. Helpful reminder: Democrats didn’t show up to see sensitive documents that were made available to them, the idea the hearing should be delayed because they haven’t read material is quite laughable. #KavanaughConfirmation — Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) September 4, 2018 Hatch’s office continued to set the record straight, tweeting the process has not been rushed. Myth: “this has been rushed.” Fact: that’s nonsense, this has been an appropriately paced, deliberate process. Kavanaugh was nominated 64 days ago ✅ Sotomayor was confirmed in 66 days ✅ Roberts in 23 days ✅ Kennedy in 65 days ✅ Ginsburg in 42 days#KavanaughConfirmation Nevertheless Senate Democrats have interrupted the hearing 63 times during the first half of the first day. “As his confirmation hearings begin and senseless attacks from the left continue, it is imperative that Americans remember the truth surrounding this nomination. Senate Democrats are reacting in a knee jerk manner of disapproval simply because it is President Trump’s choice,” Lathan continued. “In fact, many Democrats publicly stated they would oppose whatever nominee he chose. Their attempt to discredit Judge Kavanaugh, who earned the unanimous endorsement of the American Bar Association, is another example of their consistent obstructionist choices.” Jones to decide: Schumer or Alabama Lathan encouraged Alabamians to call Jones’ office and let him know of their support for Kavanaugh. “The Alabama Republican Party urges Senator Jones to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the U.S Supreme Court. In 2020, our voters will remember a ‘no’ vote. We urge every Alabama citizen to call Senator Jones’ office at 202.224.4124 to let him know of your support for Judge Kavanaugh.” “The time is now for Senator Jones to decide to either vote with Chuck Schumer or with Alabama. We thank Senator Richard Shelby for making an early and firm commitment to support Judge Kavanaugh. We hope Senator Jones will follow Senator Shelby’s lead and hear the voices of Alabamians,” Lathan concluded.
Court upholds former Alabama House speaker Mike Hubbard’s ethics convictions
An appellate court on Monday upheld the ethics conviction of former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, whose rising political career came to a crashing halt in 2016 when he was found guilty of using his office to benefit his businesses. The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed 11 of the 12 counts against Hubbard. In its 154-page decision, the court ruled there was sufficient evidence to convict Hubbard on those counts, including that he improperly asked lobbyists and company executives for both consulting work and investments in his debt-ridden printing business. The heavily anticipated decision was a blow for the Hubbard defense, which had argued that prosecutors acted improperly and stretched the intent of the state’s ethics statute, and a victory for state prosecutors who had argued Hubbard behaved corruptly. “I’m in shock,” Hubbard defense attorney Bill Baxley said Monday afternoon. Baxley said he was just beginning to review the decision, but would recommend that Hubbard appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court. Mike Lewis, a spokesman for Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, said the office was reviewing the decision and did not have an immediate comment. Hubbard, from Auburn, was for years one of the state’s most influential Republicans. He served as chairman of the Alabama Republican Party and was a key architect of the GOP strategy that led to Republicans in 2010 taking control of the Alabama Legislature for the first time in more than a century. He was indicted, and later convicted on ethics charges that he used the mantle of his office to help his businesses. He was automatically removed from office when he was convicted on the felony charges. Several of the counts against Hubbard accuse him of violating a ban on public officials soliciting things of “value” from company “principals.” A principal under state law is a person or business who employs a lobbyist to influence the Alabama Legislature. The court rejected Hubbard’s arguments that the transactions were aboveboard business dealings in which investors and companies that employed him were getting a getting a fair value for their money. “The language of the statute here is clear and unambiguous. Hubbard, as a public official, was prohibited from soliciting or receiving a thing of value from a principal,” the court wrote. The court also rejected arguments by the former speaker that the prosecution was tainted by prosecutorial and juror misconduct. While upholding 11 of the 12 counts against Hubbard, the court scolded legislators for what it described as ambiguities in the state ethics law. “We strongly encourage the legislature to consider amending the law to better circumscribe the class of persons defined as principals, and to more clearly explain several of the other 34 definitions embodied in (the ethics law). … The language of Alabama’s ethics law should be clear as to which persons, businesses, and acts fall within its reach,” judges wrote. The court reversed one count: that Hubbard should have known he had a conflict of interest when he voted on a budget bill containing language that could have possibly benefited one of his clients. A judge sentenced Hubbard to four years in prison, but he is free on bond as he appeals. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
ALGOP takes first official stance on marriage, immigration, judges and more in party platform
During the Alabama Republican Party‘s (ALGOP) biannual meeting in Tuscaloosa on Saturday the State Executive Committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of the ALGOP Party Platform — the first in the group’s history. “Proud to announce the @ALGOP has confirmed our first state party platform this past weekend 🐘🇺🇸#alpolitics,” ALGOP Chairman Terry Lathan tweeted Monday. Proud to announce the @ALGOP has confirmed our first state party platform this past weekend 🐘🇺🇸#alpolitics https://t.co/9eYs1rY855 — Terry Lathan (@ChairmanLathan) August 27, 2018 According to Lathan, the ALGOP state steering committee, chaired Sam Givhan from Madison County, drew up a draft of the platform, which was sent out several times to members where they were asked for their input, comments and edits. After several rounds, the committee submitted the final product that passed on Saturday. Lathan says the ALGOP still stands with the national RNC platform, however the new platform defines where the ALGOP stands as a state Party. “Our state Party has always stood on the platform of the RNC and we still do. However, many state GOP groups have their own platform. We decided it was time that we would do the same and highlight issues that we felt defined our thoughts and where we stand as a Party,” Lathan explained to Alabama Today. “Our candidates and county parties around the state can now use the platform to share with our voters.” Among its many provisions, the platform affirms the party’s: Belief in “equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, creed, age, sex or national origin;” Support for traditional marriage and family as being the foundation for a free society; Condemnation for decisions by activist judges to allow the desecration of the flag and to deny children the opportunity to say the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools; Support for Alabama to be a “Right to Work” state; and opposition to the implementation of the Common Core Curriculum. The platform comes at a critical time ahead of the November 6 general election, where Alabamians will decide whether or not to shift power from the hands of incumbent, Republican Gov. Kay Ivey to Democrat Walt Maddox among several other contested statewide and local races. “It also clearly highlights the glaring differences between Alabama Republicans and Democrats-and we will share these contrasts with Alabamians,” Lathan added. View the complete platform below:
Jim Bonner appeal fails at Alabama Republican Party meeting
During the Alabama Republican Party’s (ALGOP) summer meeting on Saturday the party voted overwhelmingly to deny an appeal from controversial Public Service Commission candidate Jim Bonner. Bonner was not present for the appeal. “I’m asking this body to trust your leadership and pass this motion,” ALGOP Chairman Terry Lathan said, according to Jeff Poor on Twitter. Jim Bonner appeal overwhelming fails #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/Ryo7BaAySO — Jeff Poor (@jeff_poor) August 25, 2018 Bonner under fire Before the June 5 primary, the party censured Bonner and announced that they wouldn’t certify any votes for the candidate. Bonner quickly announced he would be appealing the party’s decision, saying the that Republican leaders were against him because he was “campaigning for tighter regulation of the politically powerful Alabama Power Company.” However, Lathan named different reasons for censuring Bonner, naming the opinions he expressed on his radio show, and on social media as the chief cause. “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. But Bonner doesn’t consider himself racist or anti-Semitic. In May, he responded to a post on his Facebook wall about political correctness and those attacking him. “The base republicans ( the swamp) are shoveling money into liberal attach dogs to go through my facebook line by line and find something they can use to let the public know that Jim Bonner is unfit to be a member of the party that produced Guy Hunt, Mike Hubbard, Roy Moore, and Bentler the luv guv,” he wrote. Still, Lathan was not buying it. “The Alabama Republican Party Candidate Committee voted unanimously to publicly censure and strongly condemn Mr. Jim Bonner, candidate for Public Service Commission, Place 1,” Lathan said in a press release in June. “Mr. Bonner’s recent comments on his social media as well as radio shows are not condoned by the Alabama Republican Party.” “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.
Polling shows Alabama voters want Doug Jones to confirm Brett Kavanaugh
Polling shows that 54 percent of Alabama voters want Brett Kavanaugh confirmed as a Supreme Court Judge, according to the Susan B. Anthony (SBA) List. The SBA List and pro-life activists assembled in Mobile on Wednesday to call on U.S. Senator Doug Jones; compelling him to confirm Kavanaugh and adding themselves to the growing list of groups urging him to do so. “Polling shows that 53 percent of Alabama voters agree President Trump has chosen well qualified judges for the Supreme Court,” Jill Stanek, national campaign chairman for Susan B. Anthony list said at the rally. “And 54 percent want the senate to confirm Kavanaugh.” “We urge senator Jones to stand against Chuck Schumer and the radical abortion lobby; stand with the President…and pledge to vote to confirm judge Kavanaugh immediately,” Stanek continued. The SBA list is a national non-profit organization aimed at ending abortion by electing leaders and advocating for anti-abortion laws, according to the group’s website. Several organizations have called on Jones to support Kavanaugh. Last week, the National Rifle Association’s political arm the Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) posted a video asking voters to tell Jones they support Kavanaugh by signing a pledge on their website. This week, an Alabama bus company joined Concerned Women of America in an eight-state tour to promote the confirmation of Kavanaugh. Earlier this week, Jones held a town hall meeting in Birmingham during which the conversation was dominated by his decision on Kavanaugh. “I am doing a lot of work on the Supreme Court nominee,” Jones told the crowd. “He will be there for life twenty, thirty years, maybe more, we do not know.” Jones has previously stated that he would be keeping an “open mind” on his vote, and told the Associated Press he wanted to do his “due diligence” on Kavanaugh’s work. “Respectfully, Senator Jones, when you go to the Senate floor there is not a moderate button to push; it is a yes, or it is a no,” Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) Chairman Terry Lathan told the crowd at the rally. “Humbly, and very gratefully, we ask you Senator Jones, to hear our voices…We are here to share with you and we are here to tell you very clearly; the people of this state want this judge seated and we’re asking you to cast that vote.” According to AL.com, this is not the first stop the group has made. The SBA list has also visited Florida, Indiana, North Dakota and Missouri, “urging Democratic Senators in battleground states to back Kavanaugh’s confirmation.” Watch the full video of the rally below:
Defeated PSC candidate Jim Bonner starts a Gofundme page for recount
In the aftermath of Tuesday’s primary elections, highly controversial PSC candidate Jim Bonner has launched a Gofundme page titled “Justice in Alabama” in order to raise funds for a recount in the PSC race. “Simple this is a fund for the ordeal dealing with the Alabama GOP shenanigans. Help raise money for a recount,” says the page description. Bonner has raised $20 of the $5.000 he is asking for. According to the Alabama Secretary of State’s office, Bonner’s margins were just shy of the automatic recount number of .5 percent. Bonner was defeated with a .68 percent margin. In order to obtain a recount Bonner must raise and pay all of the costs associated with the recount which could total over $1 million. However, even if he does somehow raise the money, it may not matter. According to Ballotpedia, Alabama recount laws state that “the time period for requesting a recount begins ‘with the production of the certificate of result and ends 48 hours after the official canvass of county returns.’” Bonner began his Gofundme account on June 7, two days after the primary, rendering any money he raised from the start obsolete. Bonner created a lot of controversy in this years PSC race by posting questionable photos and opinions to his social media accounts. The Alabama Republican party promptly censured him, and later added that they would disregard any votes he received.
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.”
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
ALGOP allows former Democrat Bobby Bright to remain on ballot
The Alabama Republican Executive Committee will allow former Democratic Congressman Bobby Bright to remain on the GOP primary ballot. “We did it!,” Bright posted on Facebook Saturday. “Just walked out of the hearing with Alabama’s GOP leadership, and they gave us the thumbs up! We are officially moving forward on the Republican ballot. Thank you to everyone for the your support and encouragement! Our road back to Congress continues.” Bright, the former mayor of Montgomery, Ala. is seeking a rematch with incumbent U.S. Rep. Martha Roby for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Bright announced his candidacy earlier this month at the Alabama Republican Party Headquarters in Birmingham, Ala. where he explained he believes he’ll be more effective in Washington as a Republican. His decision to switch parties left many to question whether or not he should be allow to run as a Republican, saying he was too tied to the Alabama Democratic Party to be allowed on the GOP ballot. Ultimately the Executive Committee decided in Bright’s favor during the closed door meeting on Saturday. Bright will not face not only Roby in the June 5 Republican primary, but also Tommy Amason, Rich Hobson and Barry Moore. The Republican winner will go on to face either Tabitha Isner or Audri Scott Williams in the general election, depending who wins the Democratic primary.
