Lieutenant Governor-elect John Wahl has a message for Republicans after the midterm elections: Get back to conservative governance.
Wahl won the election against Democratic nominee State Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) with 55.1% of the vote.
Wednesday on WVNN’s “The Yaffee Program,” Wahl discussed why Republicans performed poorly across the country.
“The voters spoke very loudly, very clearly that they are not happy with government as it is, and I think that’s something the Republican Party as a whole will have to look at and have to take seriously, Wahl said, “because these are the promises we made, and we’ve got to get back to the basics. We’ve got to get back to serving the people. We have to get back to making sure we’re putting them first and listening to them.”
Wahl served as ALGOP Chairman from 2021 – 2026, before resigning earlier this year after President Donald Trump gave him a last-minute surprise endorsement for lieutenant governor.
“I think Republicans have an obligation here to make sure that we defend people’s rights and freedoms,” Wahl continued. “We put people first again. What I’ve been telling people is it’s very clear: the answer to big liberal government is not big conservative government; it’s a constitutional limited government, and I think that’s what we have to understand what people are feeling.”
Wahl admitted that voters in Alabama and across the country were primarily concerned about affordability, and he believes the answer is still sticking to conservative principles.
“People are looking for leaders who will actually cut the size of government, put people first again, and make sure that government gets back to what they should be doing, which is looking out for the people of this country and and looking out for their economic opportunities,” he said. “Lowering taxes, making sure that they’re put first, that they’re getting the things they need, and if we can get government back there, I think that’s what will will will win the day with voters.”
Republican leaders have already promised to cut the remaining 2% grocery tax next session.
RELATED: Alabama Republicans unveil plan to completely cut the grocery tax – for good
“On day one, the first bill that I want to see assigned to committee is not just cutting, but permanently eliminating our state grocery tax,” he explained. “That’s the first bill that I want to assign to Senate committee. I want to make sure we get that across the finish line. I want to start immediately digging into what else we can do to lower the cost of living, whether that’s you know medical cost, affordable housing, and making sure that that the people of the state can actually survive and and make a good living and provide for their families.”
Wahl also believes he will be able to work with Governor-elect Tommy Tuberville when it comes to accomplishing many of his priorities.
“We are absolutely going to be a a great team,” Wahl said. “We have a good relationship… I’m looking forward to being an advocate for him and hopefully being a resource and being able to in anything he needs in the Senate, but also you know a resource for information. You know as the state party chairman, I’ve been here. I’ve been on the ground. I know the players. I know the policy, and I’m definitely going to make myself make myself fully available to him and his team as they’re setting up shop in Montgomery.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
