The last 12 years have been a downward spiral for the Alabama Democratic Party.
Since 2010, Democrats have gone from majorities in both chambers of the legislature to being overwhelmed by Republican supermajorities. Except for Doug Jones' upset win in 2017, they have hardly been able to muster a challenge in statewide races.
The same looks to be true for the 2022 election cycle, but it will be done under the leadership of a new chairman.
Late Thursday, the Alabama Democratic Party Executive Committee announced State Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa) would not seek another term as party chairman.
England's announcement comes on the heels of the departure of the party's executive director Wade Perry earlier this year.
The Tuscaloosa County Democrat lawmaker inherited a mostly dormant party from his predecessor, the late Nancy Worley, in 2020.
At the time, Alabama Democratic candidates and activists had become dissatisfied with the party taking a backseat to the Alabama Democratic Conference under the leadership of Worley and Joe Reed.
A lackluster 2018 cycle in the wake of Jones' upset win against GOP nominee Roy Moore for Alabama's U.S. Senate seat in December 2017 led to the eventual ousting of Worley.
While voter participation was low all around for the May primary elections, it was especially low for Democrats. Republican voter participation outpaced the Democrats at the top of the ticket by a four-to-one margin in the May primary.
Late Thursday, Josh Coleman, a Democratic National Committee member and aide to Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, announced he would be a candidate for the open chairmanship, which will be determined when the state party holds its organizational meeting next month.
The State Democratic Executive Committee (SDEC) announced that the 2022 Organizational Meeting of the State Committee will be held on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham.
This organizational meeting will elect a new chair and officers to the State Committee, new at-large members, district vacancies, Diversity Caucuses, and the Executive Board.
Democrats in Alabama need a champion. I’m running for Chair of the Alabama Democratic Party to be that champion. It’s time we empower our local organizations, and show up from the Shoals to the shores to restore people’s trust in the Democratic Party.https://t.co/nJlErlLglT pic.twitter.com/BWdRj4kisg
— Josh Coleman (@joshcolemanal) July 15, 2022
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com.
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