After the Alabama House of Representatives voted 63-35 on legislation (HB541) to require party registration to participate in the state's partisan primary elections, Alabama Republican Party executive member Tom Fredricks announced he was withdrawing a petition that calls for a special meeting regarding House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter's (R-Rainsville) standing with the party.
According to the language of the petition, it would "address and take any lawful and appropriate action regarding party loyalty and nominee-qualification concerns that have arisen in connection with" Ledbetter.
SEE ALSO: ALGOP petition would force showdown over House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter
"Based on the successful passage of HB541 out of the House today, the petition to call a special meeting of ALGOP has been withdrawn," Fredricks said in a statement provided to 1819 News. "Per the terms of the petition, successful passage of this legislation is a fair measure of the Republican Caucus' and Speaker Ledbetter's commitment to and conformity to the platform and initiatives of the Republican Party whose brand they have chosen to run for and hold political office under."
He added, "On behalf of ALGOP and the most recent resolution effort to achieve closed primaries in Alabama, we extend our gratitude."
Fredricks' petition was a reaction to leaked audio from a closed-door House GOP caucus meeting, saying he "could give a shit about the Republican Party." The recording initially appeared in a blog post penned by Dr. Bill Chitwood on ALpolitics.
In a response to 1819 News the next day, the DeKalb County Republican said his remarks were made in relation to his "priority" to get "every Republican member of the Alabama House of Representatives reelected and growing the party's supermajority."
Ledbetter later apologized to ALGOP executive committee members in an email obtained by 1819 News.
HB541 awaits consideration by the Alabama State Senate.
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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