Wetumpka TEA Party hosts GOP candidate meet and greet
The Wetumpka TEA Party will host the River Region Candidate Fair on Monday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for candidates running in the 2018 Republican primary election. Over 40 candidates have confirmed their attendance for the event, which will be held at the Wetumpka Civic Center. Advertised as a “meet & greet,” the event will allow Alabamians to meet each candidate individually and ask them questions about the position they are seeking, rather than listen to speeches and debates. The Wetumpka TEA party will also be conducting a straw poll at the end of the night, with results posted Tuesday morning. “Our mission at the Wetumpka TEA Party is to educate citizens on national, state and local issues and help them get involved in our representative government,” said Wetumpka Tea Party founder Becky Gerritson. “It is important that people vote for their elected officials because they know what the candidates stand for and do not just rely on 30 second commercials and attractive yard signs. This is a terrific opportunity to meet the candidates who are running for an elected position, to ask them questions and understand what each candidate stands for.” The following candidates have confirmed their attendance on Monday night: CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES Governor: Bill Hightower, Kay Ivey, Scott Dawson, Tommy Battle (will send a representative) Lieutenant Governor: Will Ainsworth, Twinkle Cavanaugh, Rusty Glover Attorney General: Chess Bedsole, Troy King, Alice Martin Auditor: Stan Cooke, Elliott Lipinsky, Jim Zeigler Secretary of State: Michael Johnson, John Merrill Treasurer: Stephen Evans, John McMillan Commissioner for Agriculture and Industries: Gerald Dial, Rick Pate (will send a representative) STATE LEGISLATURE Alabama House of Representatives 31: Dustin DeVaughn, Mike Holmes Alabama House of Representatives 88: Al Booth Alabama Senate 25: Will Barfoot, Ronda Walker Alabama Senate 30: Clyde Chambliss (Unopposed) ALABAMA COURT SYSTEM Supreme Court Chief Justice: Tom Parker AL Supreme Court Place 1: Sarah Stewart AL Court of Civil Appeals Place 1: Michelle Thomason, Pat Thetford Circuit Court 19 Judge: Bill Lewis (Unopposed) PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION Public Service Commission Place 1: Jeremy Oden, Jim Bonner Public Service Commission Place 2: Chip Beeker, Robin Litaker LOCAL AND CIRCUIT RACES: Elmore County Sheriff: Bill Franklin (Unopposed) Probate Judge (Elmore): Vicki Bonner-Ward, John Thornton Elmore County Commission Dist 4: Bart Mercer (Unopposed) Coroner (Elmore): Brad Linville, Jody Jeffcoat Circuit Clerk (Elmore): Michael Dozier, Angie Cruise-Gardner FEDERAL RACE U.S. Congress Dist 2: Rich Hobson, Bobby Bright, Barry Moore A flier for the event may be viewed here: River region candidate fair.
Jim Zeigler calls out Luther Strange for missing Ala. debate, while he’s casting vote in DC
Sitting politicians often find themselves on the receiving end of public scrutiny when they choose to dismiss their duties in Washington, D.C. to hit the campaign trail. U.S. Sen. Luther Strange, however, found himself in the exact opposite position Monday evening. State Auditor Jim Zeigler took to Facebook Monday night to call out Strange for missing GOP Senate candidate forum in Wetumpka, Ala. that evening. “Luther Strange failed to show up at Senate debate in Wetumpka,” Zeigler wrote on his Facebook post. Over 300 attendees packed the Wetumpka Civic Center for the Wetumpka Tea Party hosted forum, where the “top 3” Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate seat — Mo Brooks, Roy Moore and Luther Strange — were invited to face-off. Strange was not in attendance. Zeigler however failed to realize that Strange was absent because he was fulfilling his Senatorial duties in the nation’s capital — casting a vote for President Donald Trump‘s nominee for the 11th Circuit Court, fellow-Alabamian Kevin Newsom. Shana Teehan, a spokeswoman for Strange was quick to defend her boss’ absence on Zeigler’s Facebook page, explaining that the event’s organizers were told nearly two weeks ago that the Senator would be unable to attend due to the fact that the Senate was in session. “The organizers were told almost two weeks ago that the senate would be in session and that the Senator would not be able to make it,” Teehan said. According to official record, the Senate did not recess until 6:37 p.m. ET on Monday. It will reconvene Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. ET for another day of regular business. Strange, who was appointed to Alabama’s Senate seat in February by former Gov. Robert Bentley, has found himself the target of many attacks and criticisms both on and offline in recent weeks as the Aug. 15 primary nears. Over the weekend, the Wetumpka Tea Party tweeted an article questioning Strange’s ascension to the U.S. Senate. It was one of several against the Senator they’ve made in the past week. A Strange State Of Corruption | The Resurgent https://t.co/HljZHiZKJU — Wetumpka TEA Party (@wetumpkatea) July 31, 2017
Becky Gerritson speaks out on GOP House speaker debacle
The fallout from Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy‘s decision not to pursue the Speaker of the House post soon to be abdicated by John Boehner – just hours after Boehner and other key Republicans expressed their support for his bid – has gotten GOP pols and activists alike in a pensive mood, not least of whom is Wetumpka Tea Party founder Becky Gerritson. Gerritson – who is running for Congress in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional district in 2016 – issued the following late Thursday evening. “We are witnessing a collapse in confidence in the Establishment ruling class as the base of the Republican Party demands better, more conservative government from our leadership,” said Gerritson in a statement. “I am pleased that we will not have an unacceptable choice in Kevin McCarthy forced upon us.” “My hope is that, in the days ahead, a true conservative will win out in the Speaker’s race. However, that new Speaker will not have the support he or she needs to lead our Party forward- strong and unified- unless we bolster the ranks of true conservatives in Congress. The debacle of failed leadership in our Party that we have seen played out over the last six years must be laid at the feet of moderate, Establishment politicians. It is time to clean house, restore America’s greatness, and show contrast with Obama’s fundamental transformation. “This underscores why I am running for Congress in AL-2, and I look forward to taking the lead in working with new, conservative leadership to restore the promise of this great nation.” Gerritson is seeking to oust U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, whom Gerritson says has strayed from the conservative principles which got her elected in 2010. The aftermath of the House leadership collapse may favor challengers to congressional incumbents in a 2016 year expected to yield moderate gains from minority-party lawmakers.
Tea Party darling Becky Gerritson to challenge Martha Roby in GOP congressional primary
Thursday Wetumpka Tea Party founder Becky Gerritson announced her plan to challenge Republican incumbent Martha Roby in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District — setting up what seems to be Alabama’s most competitive primary battle. Gerritson made her announcement at Gold Star Park in Wetumpka, telling the crowd she wants to represent Alabamians “who share our resentment and frustration with the pathetic leadership coming from Washington…” “I know that we can achieve a victory that will send a strong message to the Establishment in Washington that they can no longer campaign like conservatives and govern like Democrats!” followed Gerritson in a campaign email. “As your congressman, I will work every day to fight for our conservative values- regardless of the political consequences. Unafraid and unashamed, I will stand against the pervasive radical agenda in Washington, oppose this president and his liberal cronies, and restore our nation to the land our Founders intended it to be.” Already, the race is gaining national attention. The conservative blog Gateway Pundit calls Gerritson’s announcement “good news” and Conservative HQ claims Gerritson “is exactly the kind of bold conservative representative YOU want in Congress.” The support hasn’t stopped with bloggers. The Twittersphere has been abuzz with supportive Tweets as well: PLEASE HELP “Great Again Gerritson” defeat “RINO Roby” RT FOLLOW & DONATE @beckygerritson via https://t.co/fVpgb9X63J @ainsworthbill71 — Patriot Czar (@PatriotCzar) October 6, 2015 Let’s help @TeaPartyBecky get to Congress! #TCOT #AL02 We need Becky Gerritson, not #CRomnibus Roby! #liberty https://t.co/icFXAO8jY5 — Spoa Steph (@SpoaSteph) October 1, 2015 @foxnew Becky Gerritson is running for congress against Martha Roby,Martha has go to go. Put in office by Teaparty,goes with establishment — James Wilson (@dulcimerjames) October 1, 2015 It remains to be seen whether the out of state support will translate into donations, but one thing is for sure —Gerritson is no stranger to the attention. She first entered the national spotlight in 2013 when she testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in Washington, DC, detailing the Wetumpka Tea Party’s apparent targeting by the IRS while trying to gain tax-exempt status for the conservative group. “Not only has the IRS not amended their ways, but we have witnessed President Obama get away with making his own laws while blatantly ignoring others,” Gerritson said in her testimony. “Why in the world Congress is allowing it to continue is beyond me!” Gerritson is Roby’s first serious challenger since she assumed office in 2011 after defeating Democrat incumbent Bobby Bright. She’s won re-election twice. The two candidates will face-off during the Republican primary on March 1, 2016, and the winner will move on to the Nov. 8 general election.
Email Insights: Becky Gerritson “I’m stepping up”
There’s been a lot of speculation in the past about the possibility of tea party activist Becky Gerritson making a primary challenge to Congresswoman Martha Roby. If today’s email is any indication the race will soon be on. Check out the email below to see what Becky has to say in her own words: The Time is Now–I’m Stepping Up! WHEN: Thurs. Oct. 1st at 9:30am WHERE: Gold Star Park, in downtown Wetumpka. Directions here. WHAT: Special Announcment from Becky Gerritson-See details below. Over the years, many of us have expressed our frustration over our nation’s woes and the incompetence of our political “leaders.” As patriots who love this country, it has been agonizing for us to see our Founders’ vision trampled on by our radical president and our do-nothing Congress. That is why I’ve decided that it is time that I step forward to play a more direct role in getting on nation back on track. It is time that we, the grassroots voters of Alabama, let our voices be heard. Together, we can elect a leader that will fight to reduce the size and scope of government, promote liberty, protect life, and uphold the Constitution. Together, we can give the Second District the representation it deserves! I want you to be among the first to know about my plans for serving our district, and that is why I am inviting you to a special announcement at Gold Star Park in Wetumpka at 9:30am this Thursday, October 1st. It is fitting that this event is held at the place where it all started for us. Just a few years ago, my daughter and I walked the streets of Wetumpka letting fellow patriots know of our very first Tea Party rally at the park. The journey that began there has led us on a wild ride, forged many strong relationships, and opened doors I never thought possible. Now, I am so blessed to be able to share this next step with you! Eric and I have spent hours in prayer to reach this decision. While taking this step was never part of my plans, I have been blessed that the Lord’s will has been made abundantly clear. I move forward with peace, with enthusiasm, and a humble sense of duty. I sincerely hope to see you on Thursday, and I hope to have your support as I seek to fight for you and your family. In liberty, Becky Gerritson PS. I’m looking forward to seeing you on Thursday, and I hope that you will bring your friends and family. However, if you cannot make it to Gold Star Park, I will doing events in Prattville and Montgomery as well as other locations throughout the district Thursday-Saturday. Please be on the lookout for additional information. Wetumpka TEA Party, P.O. Box 195,Wetumpka AL 36092 “Like” us on Facebook :”The Wetumpka TEA Party Follow us on Twitter @WetumpkaTea www.WetumpkaTeaParty.com
