Last Friday and Saturday, the Alabama Republican Party was privileged to take part in three very exciting events. Below are recaps of each. We look forward to many more events as the 2014 primary and general elections draw closer. Be sure to check out our Events page so you can join us!
Montgomery Minority GOP Prayer Breakfast featuring Artur Davis
The Montgomery GOP Minority group held a prayer breakfast in Montgomery this past Saturday, April 26. Their keynote speaker was former Alabama Congressman Artur Davis. The event was organized by ALGOP Minority Outreach Director Troy Towns, Montgomery GOP Minority Chairman William Green and Montgomery Realtor Jimmy Harris. The event was well attended, drawing nearly 100 people. Our hat is off to Troy, William and Jimmy for putting together a great event. Representative Davis, who was elected as a Democrat, switched parties in 2012 to become a Republican and actively campaigned for Gov. Romney and other Republican candidates around the country. He reminded the audience Saturday morning how radical the Democrat Party has become since Barack Obama was elected President. Speaking of his early support of Obama in 2008, Davis said, “Do you know why so many of us believed? We led with our hearts and our dreams that we could be more inclusive than America had ever been, and no candidate had ever spoken so beautifully,” he said.
B.J. Major, Republican candidate for Cherokee County Board of Education, gave a riveting speech about the conservative core values of the Republican Party and how he had subscribed to these values for years, but never considered himself a Republican until recently. It was a speech given by Major on Martin Luther King Day, January 20, 2014, at a local school in Cherokee County that caught the attention of local Republicans. That speech led to Troy Towns making a trip to Cherokee County to meet with Major. “He said he was a Democrat, but I told him that with his values and conservative principles he was not a Democrat, but a Republican,” Towns said. Two weeks later Major met with Towns and Chairman Armistead to declare himself a Republican and a candidate for Cherokee County Board of Education.
Tijuanna Adetunji, Republican Candidate for House District 78, excited everyone with her passionate speech about her core conservative values and her desire to retire Democrat Rep. Alvin Holmes. Holmes has received national attention for his racist comments: calling Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas an “Uncle Tom” and saying that white men would make their daughters have an abortion if impregnated by a black man. “Unlike my opponent,” Tijuanna said, “I promise, by the grace of God, I will work on issues that are important to the people of House District 78 and Alabama. Too many of our youth are falling through the cracks while Mr. Holmes seems to only want to divide people by continually making racial slurs on the House floor. If I am elected I will work hard to make life better for all the people in District 78.” Other speakers as the Prayer Breakfast were Fidel Fonseca, who is working with Troy Towns to reach out to Hispanics, retired businessman and TEA Party activist Fred Solomon, Macon County businessman Pat Wallace and ALGOP SEC member Lulu Bridges. Troy plans to host other events around the state as he works within ALGOP to broaden the base of the party.
Pumpkin Patch Statewide Political Rally in Clanton, AL
Early Saturday afternoon, over 20 candidates lined up booths at the Clanton Pumpkin Patch to meet and greet local voters. The political rally featured Representative Mike Ball and his bluegrass band, fun activities for kids, Clanton BBQ and an opportunity for voters to truly engage with their Republican candidates. The beautiful weather was in our favor as we heard from each of the candidates and even got the rare chance to hear Governor Bentley sing! The rally was the first of many outreach events the Alabama Republican Party will be hosting around the state where voters will have the opportunity to have one-on-one contact with elected officials and those running for higher office. Like us on Facebook to make sure you know about the next outreach event we host. We might be coming to your area next!
An Evening with Sarah Palin, Hosted by the Baldwin County GOP
The Baldwin County Republican Executive Committee, under the able leadership of Matt Simpson, held their annual dinner Friday night with former Alaska Governor and 2012 Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin as the keynote speaker. This was a tremendously successful event with over 500 in attendance. You have to hand it to Matt and the Baldwin County Republicans; they know how to put on a great program and bring in fantastic speakers. Last year Dr. Ben Carson was their keynote speaker!
Sarah Palin didn’t disappoint those attending the evening event as she lived up to her reputation as being a firebrand speaker. She was critical of the national media, saying that the elite media would never let a Republican president get away with what Barack Obama has done by continuously legislating from the White House. “We’re fighting the good fight,” Palin said. “The Washington establishment sneers at you, and you don’t give up. The lamestream media just plain doesn’t get you, and you don’t give up. You don’t retreat.”
The crowd roared with applause as Palin said we all need to “crank up the passion and crank up the muscle to take the senate”. Palin truly has a stunning ability to excite a crowd and focus positive energy on the future. We are glad we were invited to participate in such a lively event.
Everyone is waiting to see who might highlight their annual event next year after having Dr. Carson last year and Gov. Palin this year.