Alabama College Republicans unanimously call on Robert Bentley to resign
The College Republican Federation of Alabama (CRFA), consisting of 17 member chapters across the state’s colleges and universities, unanimously called for Gov. Robert Bentley to resign in light of the multiple recordings alleging an affair between the second-term governor and his longtime aide Rebekah Caldwell Mason. “Whereas Governor Bentley has brought shame and embarrassment to the State of Alabama by means of local, state, and national news, as well as social media through his own self-admitted devious, immoral, and possibly illegal actions involving his married female senior top aide, not only of the sexual nature, but regarding her compensation as well as a non-state employee yet making key decisions in the governing of the state, coupled with the very questionable firings at the ALEA, all of which will likely hinder future trust in the state government of Alabama, the Republican Party, and all its branches…” Though far from the first to call on Bentley to step down, CRFA’s resolution is the first Republican group to call decisively for the action. There are 24 members of the CRFA executive board, made up of the chairmen of each chapter, plus seven constitutional officers. CRFA State Chairman Cole Lawson says the members of the board met via a conference call Monday evening, and the resolution was considered as new business during a regularly scheduled meeting. “There wasn’t much discussion on it,” Lawson told Alabama Today. “It was voted on with less than two minutes of discussion. There was no fight or anything, there was no dissent. It was a unanimous resolution. I think that probably explains how we and our constituents at Alabama’s colleges feel about the situation.” Lawson said he hopes CRFA’s action will be a catalyst for other Republican groups to act, but came short of calling on them to do so. “The College Republican Federation of Alabama is just not willing to sit by and take a ‘seat behind’ position on this,” he said. “We all feel that the governor has certainly done a disservice to not only the state, but the Republican party, that by extension we are a branch of, and it’s this sort of thing in elected officials where we can go out and talk about how the Republican party is the party of morality, trust, and integrity, but then we have the governor of our own state right here on our home turf turning that upside own on its head, that’s just unacceptable to us.” “We encourage him to trade in his Republican card for a Democrat card if that’s how he’s going to act,” he said. While a request for comment from the Alabama GOP was not immediately returned, Chairman Terry Lathan said in a statement last week the organization is “very disappointed in the news that unfolded this week concerning Governor Bentley’s personal conduct. The public expects our elected officials to act in an honorable manner. Governor Bentley’s apology to our state was the minimum action needed to begin a healing process for us all.It is up to him now to earn back our trust, not in words but in actions.” “While we do not know if this storyline is finished,” she continued, “we do know that Alabama deserves the best from all who volunteer in public service, take an oath of office and ask for our support. Nothing less will be acceptable.” With Bentley maintaining he has no intention of stepping down, and no statewide recall mechanism currently in place, short of a felony conviction, it would remain in the hands of the Alabama State Legislature to remove the governor from office.
State GOP Chairwoman Terry Lathan lists priorities of Alabama conservatives
With Super Tuesday a little over a month away, and November’s general election just over the horizon, the Alabama Republican Party is making moves to ensure that its candidates stay in power in the state and in Washington. “We believe there will be a rush of voters,” said Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan. “People are angry and the strength of conservative voters will trickle down to every other race. We’re one of the reddest states in the nation, so we’re not going to let our guard down.” Lathan, who has been a lifelong Republican and chairwoman of the state party since February of last year, noted that presidential elections draw the largest number of voters in the two-year election cycle. According to Lathan, the most important issues for Alabama voters are foreign policy, the economy, illegal immigration and taxes – issues relevant in state and national elections. “People have not bought into the ‘we don’t have enough, we need more’ idea,” Lathan said about the state’s ongoing budget concerns. “Voters aren’t believing it.” Lathan noted that social issues, such as gay marriage and abortion, are on the minds of conservative voters as well, but she believes that Alabama Republican Party has made its case on those issues in Alabama’s legislative houses. “We have some of the strictest laws in the nation on abortion, with more to come,” Lathan said. “We’ve made ourselves very clear on these issues.” Despite specific causes that seemingly bind all conservative voters, Lathan believes that the most important thing is that voters run to the polls on election days and remain involved with those they elect. “Voters are people who need to speak loud and clear to their representatives,” Lathan said. “Going to vote is only half of our job as citizens. I hope people will continue to be embedded in our process. “I hear a lot of chatter made about backroom deals to pick a presidential candidate. There’s no backroom, no smoking cigars, no fat cats making decisions. That’s nonsense. If you go vote, you’re part of the decision-making process.” Though the Alabama Republican Party won’t endorse any candidate for national or state office, Lathan said she thinks incumbent Sen. Richard Shelby has done an “excellent” job. “He has been a champion of conservative causes,” Lathan said. “His votes have proved it.” Lathan noted that the Republican Party, in Alabama and across the country, is working to attract young and minority voters, an effort made difficult by the “liberal media.” Lathan said the Republican National Committee has established a database of voters, which it shares with all state parties, that can pinpoint voters “almost to where we know the name of their dog.” “I think, no matter the color of your skin or the age on your driver’s license, we as Americans care about the same things,” Lathan said. “This year, in 2016, the nation is going to hear us roar.” Lathan said she thinks 2016 will be a “record-breaking year for the Republican electorate to turn out.” “Any day of the week, it’s better to have a Republican than a Democrat, period,” Lathan said. “I think our country needs us now more than ever.”
Alabama GOP calls for Speaker Mike Hubbard to suspend leadership position
Three weeks before the 2016 Legislative Session convenes, the Alabama Republican Party passed a resolution Sunday night calling for Alabama Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard to step down. The resolution, passed the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee, asks Hubbard to “suspend his role as Speaker until his trial is complete, and the indictments against him are resolved.” In a statement, Alabama Republican Party Chairwoman Terry Lathan said the party “strongly believes the needs of the state must be the first priority of elected officials.” “The GOP-controlled legislature needs full time focused attention on the people’s business,” Lathan continued. “The distractions of Representative Hubbard’s legal situation will make it extremely difficult for him to meet the demands of his role as Alabama Speaker of the House of Representatives. Meanwhile, the party-passed resolution touches on a particularly sensitive subject during an election year — public perception. “The trial, itself, is likely to become a distraction from the regular business of the legislature and, later become a subject of public debate in the primary and general elections of 2016,” reads the resolution. Hubbard was indicted by a Lee County grand jury in October 2014 with 23 felony charges stemming from allegations he misused his power in the Legislature and the Alabama Republican Party to enrich himself and secure contracts for allies. Read the complete statement from Lathan below: The Alabama Republican Party strongly believes the needs of our state must be the first priority of our elected officials. The GOP controlled legislature needs full time focused attention on the people’s business. The distractions of Representative Hubbard’s legal situation will make it extremely difficult for him to meet the demands of his role as Alabama Speaker of the House of Representatives. At this time, we recognize that Representative Hubbard remains innocent on the charges brought against him. We wish only the best for him and his family. We reached out to Representative Hubbard numerous times to meet with a small group of GOP leaders to discuss our concerns, to no avail. As a servant of the people, we urge Representative Hubbard to put the larger interest of Alabama first. Read the complete resolution below: Resolution Passed by the Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee January 10, 2016 WHEREAS, Representative Mike Hubbard serves the State of Alabama as Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives; and WHEREAS, since 2013, Speaker Hubbard has had to endure an investigation in regard to various allegations about his private financial affairs and his service as Speaker; and WHEREAS, in 2014 Speaker Hubbard was indicted for 23 felony counts and allegedly violating the Alabama Ethics Laws which regulates the performance of public officials, and the indictment includes allegations about his conduct before he was Speaker while he served as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party from 2007 to 2011, and his trial is set for March of 2016; and, WHEREAS, there has been ongoing public discussion of the Hubbard indictment since it was issued, and the trial is currently scheduled to take place during the regular session of the Alabama Legislature in 2016; and, WHEREAS, the trial, itself, is likely to become a distraction from the regular business of the legislature and, later become a subject of public debate in the primary and general elections of 2016; and, WHEREAS, the Alabama Republican Party is an association of private citizens organized to elect candidates to public office in Alabama to advance the policies of securing a free citizenry and fiscal responsibility in accordance with law, including the U.S. Constitution and the State Constitution; and WHEREAS, the Alabama Republican Party seeks to protect its right to self-governance against over-reaching application of the Ethics Law, especially if meant to be applied to its private activities and its leadership, but will not evaluate the specifics of the charges against Hubbard; and WHEREAS, the Alabama Republican Party does not want the distractions of the Hubbard trial to take away from the regular business of the legislature or its ability to achieve the policy objectives of the Republican Party in the primary and general elections of 2016; BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that we, the members of the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee, respectfully request Mike Hubbard to suspend his role as Speaker until his trial is complete, and the indictments against him are resolved.
Mike Huckabee to make campaign stop in Alabama Thursday
Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee is visiting Alabama. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill announced that the former Arkansas governor will stop at the Alabama Republican Party headquarters in Birmingham on Thursday. Huckabee will present his petition and filing fee to Republican Chairwoman Terry Lathan to appear on the Alabama ballot. At least eight presidential candidates have visited Alabama ahead of next year’s March 1 southeastern regional primary. Southern states have banded together in the so-called “SEC Primary” to try to draw more interest from presidential contenders. Ohio Gov. John Kasich held a rally in Mobile Tuesday evening. Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
Presidential hopeful John Kasich to return to Alabama to campaign
Republican presidential hopeful John Kasich will return to the Yellowhammer state next week in hopes of wooing SEC primary voters. Governor Kasich will be at Wintzell’s Oyster House in Mobile (605 Dauphin St.) for a rally at 5 p.m. Tuesday. During the event, Kasich will present his petition and filing fee to Republican Chairwoman Terry Lathan and make his pitch as to why Alabamians should cast their ballots for him in March. Kasich was last in Alabama in August, when he was endorsed by Gov. Robert Bentley. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill announced Kasich’s upcoming visit in a news release Wednesday morning. Along with several other southeastern states, the Alabama Legislature passed a bill to move Alabama’s presidential primary to March 1 in what is now being referred to as the SEC Primary. “We’re excited to welcome Governor Kasich back in Alabama! With the assistance and full support of the Alabama Legislature, one of the most significant things we have done in the Secretary of State’s Office is change the primary date to March 1,” Merrill said. “Since the March primary legislation passed, two of the top Democratic candidates and seven of the top Republican candidates have made campaign stops in Alabama, which is unheard of for our state. When Presidential candidates are choosing to visit and re-visit Alabama, it is proof the SEC Primary is working.” Other candidates who have visited Alabama recently include former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Dr. Ben Carson, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Ted Cruz, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Rand Paul, Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Sen. Rick Santorum, Donald Trump and before bowing out of the race Gov. Scott Walker.
Email Insights: Alabama GOP Chairman Terry Lathan responds to the Democratic debate
Tuesday night the the Democratic presidential hopeful took the stage for their first nationally televised debate. Hosted by CNN in Las Vegas, the debate — featuring Lincoln Chafee, Hillary Clinton, Martin O’Malley, Bernie Sanders and Jim Webb — gave the candidates an opportunity to stand out, share their opinions on major issues, and with any luck increase their poll numbers. Wednesday morning, Alabama Republican Party chairman Terry Lathan sent the following email in response to the debate: “I was pleased to see the liberal and progressive Democrat candidates on display yesterday evening for all of America to witness. The candidates’ mindsets, thoughts and words were divisive and harmful to our nation. They did not speak on the economy or the flat-lined job growth that citizens desperately need addressed. Contrasted with the Republican presidential candidates, many of whom have released or are soon to release their economic growth plans, the Democrats are stuck in the ditch of no ideas, are playing the blame game and have a bankrupt vision for our nation. “Barack Obama said he would fundamentally transform America, and he did just that. Unfortunately, he has taken us down a road that is destructive and harmful. The Democrats displayed in last evening’s debate that they are walking along that same path. “We look forward to November 2016, when we will take our nation back from the lines of thoughtless and reckless actions that have been thrust upon us.”
Alabama politicians react to Supreme Court upholding Obamacare tax subsidies
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the nationwide tax subsidies under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, in a ruling that preserves health insurance for millions of Americans. The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision on King v. Burwell that the 8.7 million Americans living in states without state based Obamacare exchanges are eligible to receive federal healthcare subsidies. The opinion was written by Chief Justice John Roberts, who also wrote the Obamacare opinion in 2012 upholding the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act. Here is a compilation of reactions from Alabama’s elected officials and politicians: Gov. Robert Bentley: Today’s decision by the United States Supreme Court is disappointing. As the law is clearly written, subsidies do not apply to states that did not establish a state-based health insurance exchange. With today’s decision, the Supreme Court became an activist court by rewriting the law, clearly overstepping the role of the Judicial Branch to interpret the law. The Supreme Court had an opportunity to repair what I, as a physician, have always believed, that the Affordable Care Act is deeply flawed and does little to help improve the health of our citizens. As a physician and Governor of one of the 34 states that did not establish a state-based healthcare exchange, I agree with Justice Scalia in his dissent that States are clearly not the federal government and that definition of a state shouldn’t be rewritten for the purpose of this law. I believe the ACA is, at its core, enormously expensive for families and businesses and does little to address the health care issues we face in our state and nation. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: Today’s Supreme Court decision does not change the fact that Obamacare is an unworkable, deeply flawed, and damaging law. The problems with Obamacare go far beyond the issue debated in King v. Burwell and continue to harm American families and small businesses. Obamacare’s long list of broken promises has already caused Americans to struggle with higher premiums, to lose their preferred health insurance and doctors, and to be left with fewer choices. Despite this ruling, I remain committed to working with my colleagues to put an end to the negative impacts of this disastrous law. U.S Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-01): Today’s ruling does not change the fact that Obamacare is an unworkable law that is hurting far too many families across Southwest Alabama and the United States. I will continue to push for a full repeal of the law and work toward patient-centered health care solutions that aren’t run by the federal government. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (AL-02): So many people across the nation and throughout Alabama have been negatively affected by this law. Under Obamacare, many lost the health plans they liked. Many were forced to go to different doctors, to say nothing of the doctors who stopped practicing altogether. Premiums skyrocketed, and many middle class families are now impacted by new taxes, fees and penalties. I have repeatedly voted to repeal Obamacare and replace it with patient-centered health care that isn’t run by the government. This ruling does not change my commitment to working to replace the president’s health care law with policies that make sense. It does show how important it is for us to elect a president who will uphold the rule of law and appoint Supreme Court justices who will do the same. U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04): I am extremely disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision today concerning Obamacare subsidies. The Supreme Court continues to see gray when it comes to the black letter of the law as written in Obamacare’s base text in the Affordable Care Act. If you look at the way the Democrats actually wrote the law, it seems to be very clear that subsidies were not available for those in the federal exchanges. This was not a typo. The language was written as it was written. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06): I’ve long been an advocate for repealing this unworkable and unaffordable law. Today’s decision by SCOTUS makes it even more imperative that Congress work to fully repeal it. As far as the opinion is concerned, I agree with Justice Scalia when he writes in dissent: The Court holds that when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act says “Exchange established by the State” it means “Exchange established by the State or the Federal Government.” That is of course quite absurd, and the Court’s 21 pages of explanation make it no less so …. This Court, however, concludes that this limitation would prevent the rest of the Act from working as well as hoped. So it rewrites the law to make tax credits available everywhere. We should start calling this law SCOTUScare. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07): Millions of Americans can finally breathe a sigh of relief. An estimated 6.4 million Americans will be able to keep their health insurance, including 17,000 people in my district! Chairman Terry Lathan, Alabama Republican Party: The nightmare continues for America with the United States Supreme Court upholding parts of the wildly unpopular Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. This destructive legislation forced upon Americans pertaining to their health care and health insurance is an abomination and a plight on our nation. America is the most loving country in the world and our citizens should have access to superb health care, but this legislation is an albatross of government intervention and bureaucracy. It has little to do with care and mostly to do with more legislative strangleholds and controlling our daily lives. No American should be forced to sign up or buy health insurance that is not their choice. This alone is enough to remind us all how important the elections of 2016 will be to America. We must reverse this course, starting by removing Democrats from the White House all the way down to our county courthouses. Let us never forget the words of Barack Obama when he and the Democrats forced their will on all of America: ‘If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. If you like your health care plan, you
Alabama GOP launches conference call series with Carly Fiorina
The Alabama GOP is having a series of statewide telephone calls with the first being held Tuesday with Carly Fiorina. In the invitation, Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan said, “In an effort to help us all get acquainted with our national Republican friends, who are interested in sharing their visions of our nation’s future, we are introducing a first for our state — a conference call series between possible presidential candidates and our Alabama Republicans.” Fiorina isn’t a household name yet but she’s hoping that in a crowded field her business credentials and straight talk stand out. Based on recent appearances to date here is what you likely can expect if you call in: She can be counted on to attack Hillary Clinton (though occasionally swiping at Bill): The New York Times reports that this is a favorite quip so you may even here it. She used it at CPAC and again at the New Hampshire First in The Nation Forum this past weekend, “Unlike Mrs. Clinton, I know that flying is an activity, not an accomplishment,” referencing Hillary bragging about how much she flew as Secretary of State. She’s all business: That’s the emphasis on her background. As the first woman to ever run a Fortune 20 company, Hewlett Packard, you can expect that to be a central part of any campaign and any conversation about her. In a National Review piece titled Fiorina Has Hillary Defenders Worried printed Sunday, John Fund described her business experience and her defense against her detractors. Fund wrote, “She believes she can connect with ordinary voters because her own experience shows how people can rise when they have economic opportunity.” He went on to quote her speech in New Hampshire where she told the audience, “For the first time in U.S. history, we are destroying more businesses than we are creating.” She went on to say, “The weight of the government is literally crushing the potential of the people of this nation.” She’s probably running for president. Quotes from Fiorina and her team have pretty much assured us of that. Saturday, on Fox and Friends she said it. Before that on an earlier Fox and Friends visit she put the odds at 90 percent. Reports Sunday night indicate that the announcement may come on May 04, putting her Alabama call just weeks before her launch.
Terry Lathan elected Alabama GOP chairwoman
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama Republicans have elected Terry Lathan of Mobile as chairwoman of the state party. Lathan is a former schoolteacher who has worked 35 years in various leadership positions in the Mobile County GOP and the state executive committee. She defeated former state Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin. Lathan comes to the job with Alabama Republicans at a historical high point. The GOP holds every statewide office, supermajorities in the legislature and controls the state appeals courts. An anti-tax advocate, Lathan also takes the helm as Republican Gov. Robert Bentley pitches a tax hike that many GOP activists oppose. The Republican Executive Committee will continue with other officer elections later Saturday, including a secretary’s race that includes Kayla Moore, wife of state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore.
