Joan Reynolds, who stepped into the top post of the Alabama Republican Party after former Chairman John Wahl resigned to run for statewide office, officially began asking party leaders over the weekend to elect her to continue serving as ALGOP Chairman.

In a letter to members of the party’s State Executive Committee, Reynolds said she wants to carry forward a “seamless” transition and provide continuity “in the middle of an active election cycle.”

Wahl stepped aside from the chairmanship for the first time since 2021 on the final day of party qualifying for the 2026 cycle — right before filing his own paperwork to run for Lt. Governor of Alabama.

Immediately after, the party announced Reynolds, then the vice chair, would assume the chairmanship.

“Dear State Executive Committee Member,” Reynolds wrote.

“As you are aware, I have been serving as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party for the last several weeks following Chairman John Wahl’s resignation to run for Lieutenant Governor. At this time, I would like to announce that I am running to continue in that role, and I respectfully ask for your vote at our State Executive Committee meeting on March 7 in Hoover.

This transition has been seamless because it reflects continuity. Since my election as Vice Chairman, I have been a regular presence at headquarters, working closely with our staff and supporting the daily work of the Party. In the middle of an active election cycle, we need steady, proven leadership; not uncertainty or experimentation.

Many of you know my work as ALGOP Finance Chair, where we achieved record-breaking fundraising that directly translated into results. Over the last two election cycles, those resources helped Republicans pick up 90 seats across the state — many of them in areas where Republicans had never been able to compete before.

I have also served as County Chairman in both Butler and Shelby Counties, helping move Butler County away from its Democratic roots and leading Shelby County, now in my twelfth year as Chairman, as the most Republican and one of the most populous counties in Alabama.

For seventeen years, I have led the Mighty Alabama Strike Force, which has grown from three volunteers to more than 300 today.

Our volunteers have supported Republican candidates nationwide through door-knocking, phone banking, and grassroots get-out-the-vote efforts. Governor Glenn Youngkin credited the Strike Force as instrumental to his 2021 victory, and President Trump’s campaign relied on our volunteers in Florida and Georgia during critical election cycles.

I have always served our Party with integrity, consistency, and a deep sense of responsibility. My focus has never been personal ambition, but protecting and strengthening the Alabama Republican Party and keeping it focused on winning elections.

I ask for your support and your vote as we continue this important work together,” Reynolds wrote.

The next move will come on March 7 when the ALGOP State Executive Committee meets for its winter session, one of the two regular SEC meetings held each year under party bylaws.

Reynolds is one of the state’s highest-profile Republican women and a conservative grassroots organizer with a nationwide impact.

In 2008, she founded, and still today leads the Mighty Alabama Strike Force, a volunteer-driven effort that deploys Republicans from the Yellowhammer State for door-knocking and turnout work in battleground states, in addition to grassroots outreach during general election cycles within the state.

Now in addition to her current role as ALGOP Chairman and previous as ALGOP Vice Chair, Reynolds has also served as Chairman of the Shelby County Republican Party for nearly 12 years. Prior to that, she led the Butler County GOP, served as the state party’s finance chair, and represented Alabama on the Platform Committee at the 2024 Republican National Convention.

According to unconfirmed reports, Reynolds may be facing competition from Alabama House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle).