Four presidential candidates took the stage at Moody Music Building on the University of Alabama’s campus earlier this month for an official GOP debate. Thousands were in attendance and many thousands more followed along at home.
Among those in the audience were local and state officials who couldn’t be prouder of the Capstone as it hosted a tradition that goes back over half a century.
“This has been in the works for over a year,” Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl told Yellowhammer News.
“What an opportunity for the state of Alabama. First presidential primary debate in Alabama history, an opportunity for us to showcase Alabama, but then also, get the opportunity to have the candidates be introduced to our state. Wherever they end up, whether it’s a cabinet position, or maybe running for president four years from now, it’s very unlikely they forget the night they spent in Alabama on the debate stage,” Wahl said.
The bench of Alabama officials proved to be an all-star cast of legislators, government and corporate executives, university administrators, major party donors and industry association chiefs alongside the crowd of GOP officials and national political influencers who gathered to see history in the making in Tuscaloosa.
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“It’s amazing, the opportunity to showcase Alabama, the opportunity to showcase one of our universities, the opportunity to showcase what we have here, and to be able to show that on a national stage, first ever debate in Alabama – that’s exciting,” State Sen. Lance Bell told Yellowhammer News.
“It’s not only tourism, it’s economic impact that’s created here,” Bell (R-Pell City) said. “Just like a ballgame, just like a Talladega Super Speedway racing event. When you walk through here and see the streets lined up, law enforcement everywhere, it’s incredible.”
Yellowhammer News spotted some of the influential Alabama leaders present at the event:
- Greg Reed, President Pro Tem of the Alabama State Senate
- Bill Poole, Alabama Finance Director
- Twinkle Cavanaugh, President of the Alabama Public Service Commission
- Attorney General Steve Marshall
- State Senator Lance Bell (Pell City)
- State Senator Gerald Allen (Tuscaloosa)
- State Representative Danny Garrett (Trussville)
- State Representative Rhett Marques (Enterprise)
- State Representative Cynthia Almond (Tuscaloosa)
- State Representative Ron Bolton (Northport)
- State Representative Bill Lamb (Tuscaloosa)
- Secretary of State Wes Allen
- Ed Aldag, Medical Properties Trust CEO
- Phill Webb, CEO Webb Concrete and Building Services
- Kevin Savoy, President Great Southern Wood Preserving
- Robert Dohr, President of the American Enterprise Institute
- Paul Pinyan, Executive Director Alabama Farmers Federation
- Walt Maddox, Mayor of Tuscaloosa
- Dr. Stuart Bell, President of the University of Alabama
- Finis St. John, Chancellor of the University of Alabama System
- Scott Phelps, President of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees
- Bill Battle, former UA Athletic Director
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
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