Alabama Republican Party Chief of Staff Shannon Whitt is stepping away from politics after eight years with the state party to join UniteUS, a Christian ministry focused on reaching college students across the country.
In a statement provided to Yellowhammer News, Whitt said the move follows months of involvement with the ministry through her husband, Josh, who joined UniteUS earlier this year.
“God has recently had me asking myself ‘what for’ with regards to my work,” Whitt said. “I really have felt the pull that it may be time to step away from politics and step into the ministry.”
Whitt served first as event director and later chief of staff during her eight years at ALGOP, overseeing party operations and major events through multiple leadership transitions.
She was also recently recognized as one of YHN Media Group’s 2026 Women of Impact, where she discussed mentoring young people who began as party interns and later moved into roles at the White House, Capitol Hill, the Secret Service and federal agencies.
Whitt said that same interest in the next generation helped shape her decision.
“Josh and I have two kids in college and one in high school,” she said. “I can’t imagine a better way for me to impact the kingdom than through the next generation.”
Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party and State Rep. Scott Stadthagen thanked Whitt for her longstanding involvement in the party and conservative movement as a whole in the state.
“Shannon has been a tremendous asset to the Alabama Republican Party, and we’re grateful for the eight years she dedicated to serving our Party,” Stadthagen said in a statement to Yellowhammer News.
“Her leadership and hard work have made a lasting impact on ALGOP and she will certainly be missed by our team. We’re excited for Shannon as she begins this new chapter alongside her husband and wish her all the best in her new role with UniteUS.”
UniteUS began with a gathering of thousands of students at Auburn University’s Neville Arena in September 2023 and has since expanded to college campuses around the country.
The organization describes its mission as bringing students together around Christian faith, worship and connection to local churches and ministries.
Whitt said she first worked with UniteUS leaders Chad and Tonya Prewett during President Donald Trump’s January 2025 inauguration, when they spoke at an Alabama delegation prayer breakfast.
Her husband has since participated in many of the roughly 30 campus events hosted by the organization.
Whitt said she sees similarities between her new work and ALGOP Chairman Scott Stadthagen’s Project Future Generation initiative, with both focused on reaching young people.
“We need to impact young people both with the gospel AND the importance of being involved in your community with conservative values,” Whitt said.
Whitt said her new role will take her this semester to events at Pepperdine, Miami, Appalachian State, South Alabama and Nashville.
“I am excited to dig into this new role,” she said.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
