Have you ever seen the movie the “The Blind Side”? Recently, while watching it again, I realized I missed a very important moment in the opening lines.
Michael Oher was a young African American high school boy virtually homeless living on his own in Memphis, Tennessee. He eventually found himself in the home of Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy. The Tuohy family became so close they adopted Michael. They hired a tutor to help him pull his grades up in school. Michael eventually met the academic standards needed to get into college.
Michael was offered to play college football at Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, and Louisiana State. He chose the Tuohys’ alma mater of Ole Miss. Although there were some questions about the Tuohys’ preexisting relationship with the new Ole Miss coach, Hugh Freeze, NCAA investigations showed no violations had occurred.
Michael went on to be an award-winning college athlete as well as a successful student at Ole Miss. Michael played for the Baltimore Ravens where they won a Super Bowl. He is currently the left tackle for the Carolina Panthers where he played in the 2016 Super Bowl this past Sunday night.
In the opening scene of “The Blind Side”, the narrator shares with us that the highest paid NFL position, to no one’s surprise, is the quarterback. However, the second highest is the left tackle.
As quoted from The Blind Side: “The left tackle’s job is to protect the quarterback from what he can’t see coming. To protect his blind side.”
This interesting note reminded me of how the county parties and conservatives play the role of the left tackle position. Republican members across our state work diligently to protect the principles of the party by volunteering to help elect GOP members to offices. Together as a team, Alabama Republicans guard and protect our beliefs through action.
Each individual essentially guards our house so we may complete our mission and win our races. Our movements speak volumes to others watching and often encourage new conservatives to get involved in our organization. Then, it is up to our elected officials to complete the plays and champion conservative legislation.
As we move toward our March 1 primary election day, may we all remember that the ultimate goal is to protect our house. When we choose our nominees, we will do just that. In November, America will not be blindsided any longer by the failed liberal policies of the Democrats. With our team members around the state, we will secure our races in Alabama and win the White House. Now, more than ever, we must work to protect our nation.
ALGOP Winter Meeting and Dinner
For the first time in ten years, the Alabama Republican Party will host their 2016 winter meeting and dinner on Saturday, February 27, 2016 in Mobile, Alabama. The meeting will begin at 1:00 pm at the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center. The public is invited to attend.
Dinner will begin at 7:00 p.m. The ALGOP is proud to host Mr. Mark “Oz” Geist, co-author of “13 Hours” as the keynote speaker. Mark was one of the heroic special ops members in Benghazi that is credited, along with his teammates, for saving 25 American lives when the U.S. Embassy was attacked. The movie “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” is an eyewitness account from our brave soldiers who fought back when the compound was overrun by militant terrorists.
To purchase sponsorships and tickets visit: http://algop.org/algop-2016-winter-dinner/or call 205.212.5900. 
Mark will be signing his book “13 Hours” after the dinner. Come hear and meet one of the true patriots of Benghazi.
Pre-sale books for the event can be purchased here. Link: bit.ly/1PfWnAF
By the Numbers
A total of 189 candidates qualified with the state party. Hundreds of more candidates qualified with county parties throughout the state.
With the March 1 “SEC Primary” bringing focus to the Southern states and the largest field of Republican presidential candidates in our state’s history, Alabama qualified a total of 13 presidential candidates to appear on the ballot. In addition, over 400 delegates qualified for their candidate of choice. Update: Since our qualifying ended, several presidential candidates suspended their campaigns.
At the federal level, 17 candidates qualified to run. Republicans currently hold six of the seven U.S. House seats and both seats in the U.S. Senate, all which are up for re-election with the exception of Senator Jeff Sessions.
Statewide,16 candidates qualified. Overall, three seats on the Alabama Supreme Court, four seats on the State Board of Education and the office of Public Service Commission President will appear on the ballot.
There were 62 candidates to qualify for Circuit Judge, 39 for District Judge and 42 for District Attorney. Overall, Alabama Republicans will participate in 38 state primary races. The March 1 Alabama Republican Primary will feature a total of 103 candidates on the ballot.
For a full list of candidates that qualified with the state party, please visit our website:
http://algop.org/elections/2016-qualified-alabama-republican-candidates/
2016 VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES:
February 12, 2016 – Hand-delivery to county Board of Registrars
February 13, 2016- Postmarked
February 15, 2016 – Online
You can register online at: https://www.alabamavotes.gov/olvr/default.aspx
Welcome Aboard!
Congratulations to the winners of the following races:
Saved By the Bell
Chilton County Republican Party Chairman Billy Singleton was on a mission. After doing research on Chilton County, he ran across a story about the USS Chilton and the Commissioning Bell. The Chilton County Republican Party, along with local veterans groups, will work together for a presentation at the 2016 Memorial Day observance to bring the bell back home to Chilton County. Read the story here.
From top left: Chairman Singleton and Tony Wearren traveled from Chilton County to Stapleton, Staten Island New York to retrieve the USS Chilton bell. Singleton and Wearren are pictured with John Bottone Jr. (standing right and John Bottone (seated). Source: Clanton Advertiser
House Party
The UNA College Republicans donated $20,000 to the Military Warriors Support Foundation and provided the keys to a mortgage-free home to a wounded combat veteran. UNA CR President Nathaniel White (pictured on the right) and the UNA CR Adviser, David Black (pictured in the purple jacket), along with over 10,000 fans gave this hero a standing ovation as the key to his new home was presented. The UNA CR Lions roared with their approval to simply say THANK YOU to one of our finest.
Lions and GOP pride are a great combination!
- The Red Mountain Republicans are up and running strong. Under the leadership of Jay Mitchell, Taylor Hanes, Key Hudson, Tyler O’Connor, Derek Waltchack and Anne-Allen Welden, the new group started out strong on January 5 at Regions Field with special guest U.S. Senator Richard Shelby.
- The North Jefferson County Republican Club recently elected new officers: Sharon Denham, President; Joel Kimbrough, 1st VP; John Burton, 2nd VP; Ed Howse, Secretary; Johanna Kimbrough, Treasurer. The NJCRC meets the 4th Monday of each month at Jim & Nick’s BBQ, 915 Odum Road, Gardendale, AL with a 6:00 p.m. meet and greet. The program starts at 6:30 pm.
- Congratulations to South Baldwin County Republican Women’s incoming President Kathy Morelock, and to outgoing President Becky Vasko for her dedicated service to the group. Recently, former President Vasko presented SBRW associate member John Stetzinger (see picture below) with a Lifetime Presidential Award for his continued support of the ladies’ group. All three are members of the Alabama Republican Executive Committee.
- The Greater Birmingham Young Republicans recently held new officer elections. The following GBYR’s were elected: Justin Barkley, President; Haley M. Lucido, Vice Chair; Mary-Meighan Riley Warren, Secretary; Stephen Caleb Parker, Treasurer; Sean Grehalva, State Committeeman; Anna Schmarkey, State Committeewoman; Zach Bowman, County Liaison; and Alex Cobb, Sergeant-at-arms. Last year, the GBYR’s were selected as the 2015 nation’s best large club of the year.
- Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh was selected as The Anniston Star’s 2016 Citizen of the Year. Photo courtesy of: The Anniston Star
- Judge Liles Burke with ALGOP SEC member Lieutenant Brent Beal. Brent is now a member of the Alabama National Guard JAG Corps. Brent is Counsel of Government and Legislative Affairs to the Secretary of State’s office.
The following ALGOP Rising Republican Stars were nominated by their fellow Republican leaders. Congratulations and thank you for all of your continued hard work:
The Alabama Republican Party remembers the service of our fellow Republican friends and sends prayers to their families on their passing:
Mrs. Ginger Austin, Bullock County Republican Party Chairwoman. Ginger was a matriarch of the ALGOP and was well respected and honored for her unselfish dedication of decades of service to the Republican Party. “Miss Ginger” was honored at the ALGOP 2014 meeting as a Trailblazer. This distinctive honor was awarded to her for her participation, activities, membership recruitment, and dedication to the Alabama Republican Party since the 1950’s.
Former Mayor Bill Batson, Florence. Mayor Batson was a true public servant who loved his constituents and enjoyed helping all. His roots in the Republican Party run deep. The Lauderdale County Republican Party gives him great credit for building the foundation of their local party. Mayor Batson was a former city councilman as well. He was known around Florence as a man who kept his word.
Dan Williams served as a Republican state House member for two terms. He represented Alabama House District 5. A former mayor of Athens, Rep. Williams spent more than 35 years serving Limestone County in various public office positions. He served one term on the Athens City Board of Education (1979 to 1984) before being elected to the Athens City Council where he worked until 1992. He was the mayor of Athens for 18 years from 1992 until 2010.
Lesley Vance was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1994. He represented District 80. Rep. Vance was the owner of Vance Memorial Chapel and served as Russell County coroner for 27 years. He was also a member of the Russell County Commissioner for two years.
Join us with a $20.16 contribution as we turn our focus on winning the White House, holding on to the US Senate and House and securing our ALGOP base in our state and counties.
Just a click away from helping: http://algop.org/Take%20it%20Back%202016/
Picture Perfect
The Greater Birmingham Republican Women honored the 2015 “Republican Woman of the Year”, ALGOP National Committeewoman Vicki Drummond at The Wine Loft in downtown Birmingham. A big crowd attended to honor Vicki and to enjoy Christmastime together.
Congratulations to ALGOP member Virginia Howard of Dale County (left) and ALGOP 2nd Congressional Chair Sue Neuwien of Coffee County (right) for their recent honors received at the Alabama Federation of Republican Women’s Annual Biennial Convention in Birmingham, October 2015. Virginia received the “Martha Foy Award” and Sue was the recipient of the “Jean Sullivan Award”. Great honors by hard working GOP ladies.
