Jessica Ross, a Republican candidate for Alabama House District 65, has been removed from the Republican primary ballot by the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee after a challenge over her vote in the 2020 Democratic primary.

Ross announced the decision in a public statement on social media, saying she was “disappointed” but accepted the ruling.

Under ALGOP rules, a candidate who voted in a Democratic primary within the last six years is automatically removed from the Republican ballot. The steering committee can reinstate a candidate with a three-quarters vote but declined to do so in Ross’ case, she said.

Ross said her 2020 Democratic primary vote is currently five years and 11 months old and would be six years and two months old by the time of the May 2026 primary. She said the rule was adopted after the 2020 primary in which she voted.

“I asked for clarity on the rule’s timeline interpretation, but was told they were within their window of review at the time of my appeal,” Ross said.

Ross said she voted in the 2020 Democratic primary because local races, including the superintendent election, were on the Democratic ballot that year.

“Everyone, every Republican, I’ve spoken with in my local community did the same because we care about who our local officials are because we work with them and rely upon them in our daily lives,” Ross said. “But this rule is what it is, and I take complete responsibility for my actions, for which I do not regret or apologize.”

According to Ross, the steering committee dismissed letters of support from the Washington, Clarke, and Choctaw county Republican committees, as well as letters from former Congressman Jo Bonner, former Congressman Bradley Byrne, Secretary of State candidate Caroleene Dobson, and former State Rep. Harry Shiver.

Ross said she is not “closing the door completely on this campaign” but is pausing her efforts.

House District 65 covers Choctaw and Washington counties, northwest Clarke County, and part of northern Baldwin County. The seat is open after State Rep. Brett Easterbrook (R-Fruitdale) announced his candidacy for Senate District 34.

Sawyer Knowles is a capitol reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].