As reported earlier by Yellowhammer, many Alabama Republicans have backed away from their support of Republican Presidential Nominee Donald J. Trump after the leak of a 2005 tape containing audio in which he made lewd comments about women. However, other Republicans in the state are doubling down on their support for the New York billionaire, and argue that he is the only viable option to prevent Hillary Clinton from taking the White House.
The following is a running list of Alabama Republicans who have confirmed their support for Trump after the tape leak. This list will be updated as the situation continues to develop.
U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
Sen. Sessions has been one of Donald Trump’s top advocates and advisors since Alabama’s presidential primary last March. However, rumors circulated that after the Access Hollywood tape leaked, Sessions advised Trump to drop out of the race. On Fox News Sunday, Sessions denied the rumor that he advised Trump to quit. He also stood by his commitment to support the GOP nominee.
“This thing is overblown. Everybody knows that Trump likes women,” Sessions said on Fox. “This is not a disqualifying event.”
U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL5)
Brooks told Al.com in an interview on Monday morning that he intends to vote for all the Republicans on the ballot.
“He’s a better option than Hillary Clinton,” Brooks said.
Much like Sessions, Brooks said that none of Trump’s antics should come as a surprise.
“Everything that we have seen about Donald Trump over the last three or four weeks and everything we will see should not be a surprise to any American voter,” he said. “The details may be a surprise but the overall scene should surprise nobody.”
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL6)
Palmer came out condemning Trump’s comments in the tape, but still says that he will support him.
“As a husband and father of two daughters, I was dismayed and angered by the comments made by Mr. Trump in 2005,” said Palmer. “Even though he made those statements over a decade ago, they are extremely offensive and not representative of my values or the values of the American people. He was right to apologize, but without showing true contrition and asking for forgiveness the apology is not sufficient. Mr. Trump should seek forgiveness and give deep and serious consideration to what he should do in regard to what is best for our country.”
Alabama Republican Party Chair Terry Lathan
The head of the state party criticized Trump for the language on the leaked tape, but emphasized that she still support’s the GOP’s candidate for president.
“The 11-year-old leaked Trump tape had reprehensible words, and even worse, a disrespectful and juvenile attitude toward women,” Lathan said in a statement. “We must protect America’s future with President Donald Trump. I am a woman who looks forward to the day a woman is president of our beloved nation, but not Hillary Clinton. Voting for a person to make a cultural statement rather than a policy statement is dangerous.”
State Rep. Phil Williams (R-Huntsville)
Williams called out Gov. Robert Bentley – who revoked his support of Trump – and is just the latest in a line of politicians arguing that a non-vote or vote for a third party candidate is a vote for Clinton.
“Dear Governor, please reconsider your position on Trump since your recent headlines basically send votes to Hillary,” Williams wrote. “You are not voting for an Independent candidate so its either Hillary or Trump. Your position is helping Hillary.”
State Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City)
Butler made clear his continued support of the GOP nominees on Sunday with a series of pro-Trump posts on Facebook during and after the debate.
