The Alabama Republican Party announced the hiring of Rich Holt as political director on Thursday.

According to ALGOP, Holt brings more than a decade of campaign, communications, and strategic field experience to the position, having worked with Republican candidates and organizations across the nation and abroad.

He most recently worked with America PAC, managing large-scale grassroots and voter engagement operations. His professional background includes leadership roles with the Washington State Republican Party, the Iowa Republican Party, and the Virginia House Republican Campaign Committee, ALGOP reports, as well as experience in policy development with the National Center for Public Policy Research in Washington, D.C.

“I’m excited to be in Alabama — one of the most conservative and politically energized states in the country,” Holt said.

“This is an incredible opportunity to use my experience to help build on Alabama’s strong Republican majority, strengthen our grassroots network, and continue expanding our base. I’m honored to be part of such a dedicated team focused on winning elections and advancing conservative principles.”

Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl praised Holt’s experience and commitment to strategic growth.

“Rich Holt brings a wealth of experience to our team — from managing statewide field operations to developing targeted messaging that resonates with voters,” Wahl said. “He’s exactly the kind of leader we need to help guide our political operations through 2026 and beyond.”

Wahl added that the Party is entering the 2026 election cycle with renewed energy and determination.

“We’re not slowing down. The Alabama Republican Party is focused on growing our grassroots organization, recruiting strong conservative candidates, and flipping every seat we can,” Wahl continued. “Our goal is simple — to keep Alabama red and make sure the voices of our Republican voters are heard loud and clear.”

A U.S. Army veteran and fluent speaker of Russian and German, Holt has also directed humanitarian and civic outreach projects in Europe, combining political insight with international perspective.

“Rich’s track record of results and his deep understanding of political operations will be a major asset to our Party,” Wahl concluded. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to Alabama.”