MADISON — A resounding message was delivered Monday in North Alabama by high-ranking GOP elected officials: Republican dominance of Tennessee Valley politics will continue.
At an event on behalf of GOP U.S. Senate nominee Katie Britt at Black Patch Distillery, state Republican brass rallied the conservative grassroots ahead of the Nov. 8 general election.
Serving as emcee for the rally was House Speaker Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia), who touted the accomplishments of the Republican-dominated Legislature.
Joining McCutcheon in praising the majority caucuses were Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville) and House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville). Also in attendance were State Sens. Tom Butler (R-Madison) and Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville), as well as House District 24 and 25 GOP nominees Phillip Rigsby and Dr. David Cole.
U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) introduced U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who praised the “enthusiasm and energy” Britt had displayed throughout her senatorial bid.
Blackburn insisted that it was “imperative” to turn out the Republican vote as a way of proving that the Tennessee Valley remained a conservative stronghold.
“We cannot win if we do not get people out to vote,” said Blackburn. “We cannot send the message that North Alabama is red, not purple, unless we get out to vote. And having higher vote totals on Nov. 8 is going to be an imperative.”
“(Y)ou all are going to send an absolute fireball to the U.S. Senate. She’s going to do a great job working with (Sen.) Tommy Tuberville. And I cannot wait for Katie Britt to be a member of the U.S. Senate.”
Those in attendance for the North Alabama rally represented the “face” of the Republican Party, according to Britt.
“You’re here because you know what’s at stake,” Britt told rally attendees. “And, y’all, we could not be more grateful. I’m looking across this room and I’m seeing strong grassroots conservatives. I’m seeing the face of the party, and the hands and feet. You have been knocking doors and bringing people into the conservative cause explaining to them if we are going to put this nation back on the right track, we must do so by putting Republicans in office from the top to the bottom of the ballot.
“I also see so many of you who have been with Wesley and I from the very beginning. And, y’all, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for those that have done that. Thank you for those who have been willing to stand in there with us now.”
Delivering the rally’s closing remarks in a fiery speech was Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who railed against liberal Democratic policies and praised the work of elected GOP officeholders.
Ainsworth, the state’s second-highest ranking elected official, said voters had the opportunity to declare that North Alabama would continue to be a Republican stronghold.
“Two House seats here, Democrats are excited about,” said Ainsworth. “Let’s steal it from them, OK? Let’s send a message that in Alabama, we’re going to have a massive red wave and that Huntsville, Alabama is not purple. No way. It’s going to stay red.”
“Alabama’s on fire and let’s keep the momentum going,” said @willainsworthAL during Monday’s North Alabama rally for @KatieBrittforAL. #ALSen #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/TJt2fA8xxu
— Dylan Smith (@DylanSmithAL) November 1, 2022
“So we need a huge red wave. We need all of us working hard to make sure we get out and vote. We can’t take stuff for granted in Alabama,” he said. “That is my message to y’all. Work hard, work like you’re behind. Let’s have a huge red wave. Alabama’s on fire and let’s keep the momentum going.”
Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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