It wasn’t too long ago when Alabama seemed to matter little in the national political landscape in comparison to some of its neighbors.
However, that could be changing.
The first and maybe primary reason for this recent political growth and change on the national level is that Alabama’s representatives in Congress are in positions to benefit the state and its political capital.
From Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s stance against military-funded abortions to Rep. Mike Rogers, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, fighting to bring Space Command to Huntsville, the Yellowhammer State is making itself heard in the halls of Congress and the Senate.
I am demanding that Secretary Kendall and General Dickinson sit for transcribed interviews and produce documents related to the Space Command basing decision as part of a continuing investigation. I have had enough of their evasion of Congressional oversight and political games. https://t.co/dwgiO7UwLJ
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) August 4, 2023
Adding to the signs of growth and change are the now regular trips to Alabama by high-profile Republicans seeking the Oval Office.
Former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have visited Alabama and spoke to thousands of Republican voters at record-breaking ALGOP functions. Trump’s dinner alone Friday night hauled in $1.2 million.
Trump told the crowd, “We love Alabama. Won it by 45 points.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence also made a stop in the state to speak at the University of Alabama last April.
It also now appears that the RNC, like some of its candidates, is beginning to place a higher value on Alabama when it comes to the Republican primary after reports circulated that a third primary debate will likely be held within the state.
Primary contender Nikki Haley, a former governor of South Carolina and ambassador to the U.N., believes the debate in Alabama will take place in the fall.
“First debate’s August in Wisconsin. Second debate’s September at the Reagan Library. Third debate’s October in Alabama – by October, you’re going to see a totally different ball game,” she said last month.
Lastly, the state of Alabama has recently become embroiled in controversy with the U.S. Supreme Court after the court ruled that the state having only one majority Black congressional district most likely violated the Voting Rights Act.
The court then declared that the state Legislature needed to create a map with a second majority Black district. Alabama declined to draft another map with new districts.
The decision has been all over the national news, and other GOP states with similar congressional districting predicaments are sure to be watching and could possibly use the Yellowhammer State as an example for how to move forward with the issue.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
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