A Message from the Chairman
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Republican Friend,
A lot has happened since the last issue of our newsletter. Under normal circumstances, I would be writing a column about the Republican primary and the run-off election (which has now been moved to July 14th).
However, the Coronavirus has dramatically changed our world in a short span of time.
We've learned a new term – "social distancing" – and how important it is to apply it to our daily lives. Curbside service is now a necessity and the norm. We're learning to ration what we have – and do without what we don't need – as grocery store shelves are emptied almost as quickly as workers are able to restock them.
Children now have to stay home from school and while parents find innovative ways to teach and entertain them as work to contain the virus continues. Old-school board games are being taken out and dusted off as families bring back the tradition of "game night" (remember those?). Another item from my childhood – sidewalk chalk – has also made a comeback. One of our ALGOP staffers snapped these pictures (below). They put a smile on my face, and I hope they will put one on yours as well. It amazes me how perceptive and resilient our children are during these uncertain times.
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Sidewalk chalk "artists" sharing inspirational messages
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As we continue through this uncharted territory, the Alabama Republican Party will be here to answer your questions or assist you in any way we are able. All ALGOP staffers are taking the proper precautions and following the guidelines laid out by Governor Ivey's administration and the President's COVID-19 taskforce to help reduce transmission of the virus to others.
As ongoing testing and diagnoses continue we lift up so many – doctors, nurses, health care workers, first responders, truckers, the military, the travel industry, supermarket employees, restaurant workers and others who remain on the job so we can purchase food and supplies – in prayer.
Wishing you, your family and loved ones continued health as our elected officials and the public health experts navigate our great state and nation through this crisis. Please be in focused prayers for those making important decisions. We are confident America will come through better and stronger than ever.
There's just something about America,
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Mrs. Terry Lathan
Chairman, Alabama Republican Party
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“For those worried and afraid, please know: As long as I am your president, you can feel confident that you have a leader who will always fight for you, and I will not stop until we win. This will be a great victory,” he said Sunday, adding, “This is going to be a victory. And it's going to be a victory that, in my opinion, will happen much sooner than originally expected.”
– President Donald J. Trump
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Governor Kay Ivey hosted a joint conference call with Dr. Scott Harris of the Alabama Department of Public Health to address COVID-19 questions from the media on March 24th.
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ALGOP Elected Officials Update
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Governor Kay Ivey, Secretary of State John Merrill and Attorney General Steve Marshall practiced 'social distancing' at a news conference announcing the rescheduling of the run-off election to
7/14
due to COVID-19.
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As the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Richard Shelby has been instrumental in moving quickly for much needed legislation to fund various measures related to the Coronavirus outbreak.
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Congressman Bradley Byrne is one of three members of the House spearheading an economic recovery package for the Travel and Tourism industry, which is estimated to lose 4.6 million jobs due to COVID-19.
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U.S. Representative Martha Roby added a feature to
her website to keep everyone up-to-date on the Coronavirus outbreak. She is also working with the State Department to help Alabamians stranded overseas to come home.
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Congressman Mike Rogers – ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee – is working on issues critical to national security as it relates to COVID-19, from cybersecurity to border security.
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Congressman Robert Aderholt wrote an amazing op ed for The Hill explaining how the Coronavirus pandemic highlights the need for high speed broadband in rural America. You can read the article by clicking
here.
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Congressman Mo Brooks is working to encourage the Department of Defense to enact a department-wide telework policy for all contractors regardless of a contract’s teleworking provisions while America confronts COVID-19.
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Congressman Gary Palmer teamed up with Dr. Scott Harris of the Alabama Department of Public Health to host a telephone town hall to answer questions about the Coronavirus disease, social distancing and flattening the curve.
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The Legislature – under the leadership of Senate Pro Tem Del Marsh and House Speaker Mac McCutcheon – passed a bill appropriating $5 million to combat Coronavirus. The measure was signed into law by Governor Ivey.
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ALGOP Run-off Rescheduled
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The Governor has announced the primary run-off election is being rescheduled for July 14. This will obviously change the dates for other actions to be taken during elections. The priority election dates listed below. Please click
here for the new election administrative calendar.
- Runoff election is July 14.
- Deadline to register to vote is June 29.
- Absentee ballot applications must be received by July 9.
- If delivered by hand, absentee ballots must be received by July 13.
- If returning by mail, absentee ballots must be postmarked by July 13.
Absentee ballot applications that have already been submitted will remain valid for the July 14 runoff election.
Per Secretary of State John Merrill, anyone still wishing to vote absentee because of the COVID-19 epidemic should feel free to do so.
- Absentee ballot applications can be downloaded by clicking here.
- When submitting an absentee ballot application, please check the “illness” box as your reason for needing one.
- Please make sure you include a copy of your photo ID when submitting your absentee ballot application.
- You need to mail your absentee ballot application to your county’s Absentee Election Manager. You can find their name and address by clicking here.
As always, if you have any questions, feel free to contact ALGOP Headquarters at 205.212.5900.
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Jeff Sessions
Twitter – @jeffsessions
Facebook – Jeff Sessions
Tommy Tuberville
Twitter – @TTuberville
Facebook – Tommy Tuberville
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Beth Kellum
Facebook – Judge Beth Kellum
Will Smith
Facebook – William "Will" Smith for Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Place #2
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Alternate Delegate Qualifying Open at algop.org
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Just a note to remind you that qualifying to be an ALGOP alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention in Charlotte is now OPEN!
You don't need to leave your home to qualify – it's all on-line.
Please consider the following information (listed below) when making your decision on whether you should run.
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Ready to qualify? Just click the 'I Want To Qualify to be an Alternate Delegate' button below. It will take you to our on-line registration and payment system (if applicable).
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You do NOT need a digital code or
to wait until you hear from the Census department.
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It's time to be counted. The 2020 Census is underway and it's crucial to our state for every one of us to take part. Please follow the directions on the Census form you were mailed and complete it as soon as possible. You don't need to leave home to do it. The Census can be done on-line.
Some census facts:
- The census was established by our Founding Fathers in Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution. It is sent to every household in the U.S. every 10 years.
- Up to $13 billion in federal funding for Alabama is at stake. This is money used to improve our state's future: schools, roads, job opportunities, etc. We need an accurate census count to ensure these programs are able to continue.
- The census will also determine the number of congressional seats Alabama has. Unlike U.S. Senate seats – which always remain at two per state – congressional districts are reconfigured every 10 years based upon population growth and loss in each state. We need to make sure Alabama continues to have sufficient representation in Washington.
- This in turn will impact the number of electors we send to the Electoral College starting with the 2024 Presidential election. The number of electors in each state is equal to the size of its congressional delegation (U.S. Senators plus U.S. Representatives).
- The census contains only 10 simple questions and takes just 6 minutes of your time to complete.
For more information about the census, you can visit the official state website by clicking
here
.
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PLEASE NOTE: The ALGOP has asked all Republican county parties and affiliated Republican organizations to suspend all meetings, fundraisers and activities until at least April 6th due to the COVID-19 epidemic. After April 6th, we will reassess the situation.
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Sean Spicer – the keynote speaker for the 2020 ALGOP Winter Dinner on February 21st – was well received by the sold-out crowd in Prattville.
He also took questions from the audience after his remarks and many guests received his autographed book “The Briefing”.
Sean loves being with Republicans and shares our enthusiasm and focus on the 2020 races across our nation. He emphasized no matter who our voters will choose as our Senate nominee we must rally together to elect that candidate. President Trump needs that vote in the Senate. Our nominee will be a solid conservative. If our voters turnout, we will win!
He was very encouraged about the possibility of taking over the U.S. House of Representatives as well.
The ALGOP presented Sean with a quilt from the Quilts of Valor organization for his service in the U.S. Navy as a commander in the reserves.
We also honored U.S. Representative Martha Roby in her home district as this is her final year in Congress. A tribute video was shown and she was given an original charcoal drawn artwork by Barbara Davis as a thank you from our Party.
Martha has been a great friend to the ALGOP and we are grateful for her service. The Young Republican Federation of Alabama and the ALGOP sponsored an after party for Martha as well.
Our sponsors and guests made this event very memorable. We are appreciative of this support which will help our Party in the 2020 elections.
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ALGOP 2020 Winter Meeting
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The ALGOP Winter Meeting took place on Saturday, February 22nd in Prattville.
Our Congressional District meetings heard from many candidates. The districts also elected the Code of Ethics Committee – one member from each district.
We thanked our county chairs and announced that we have had 100% GROW (Growing Republican Organizations to Win) participation on their strategic planning and over a dozen counties have finished their second level. All counties will be working on their second level soon.
Paul Reynolds and Vicki Drummond were re-elected by acclamation to serve in their respective roles as members of the Republican National Committee.
Phil Webb, our finance chairman, and Treasurer Sallie Bryant gave their respective reports.
Greg Cook, our ALGOP counselor, presented and the Committee passed our 2020 ALGOP Alternate Delegate Procedures. There is a tentatively scheduled ALGOP meeting for all members on Saturday, May 30 in Pelham to elect our alternate delegates.
The Committee passed seven resolutions that are posted on our website at
www.algop.org
.
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The Alabama Federation of Republican Women held their annual Legislative Days in Montgomery on February 17th through February 19th.
The three days featured many wonderful events, including Grazing with the Elephants – where the different clubs showcased items and foods from their area – meetings with legislators and GOP leadership including Governor Kay Ivey, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Secretary of State John Merrill, Attorney General Steve Marshall, the Alabama Supreme Court, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon and hearing updates on various issues in our state.
Congrats to AFRW President Britney Garner and her amazing team for putting together this successful event.
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Gov. Ivey's Chief of Staff, Jo Bonner, spoke at the Elmore County GOP Scholarship Dinner.
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The annual Etowah County GOP Reagan-Martin dinner featured Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth.
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It was a packed house and enthusiastic crowd for the Dale County GOP January meeting
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Spotted in Colbert County!
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The Auburn University College Republican chapter is ready to get to work on the fall election.
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Marshall County GOP hosted U.S. Senate candidates at a standing-room only event.
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Paid for and authorized by the Alabama Republican Party. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee.
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