HOOVER — The College Republican Federation of Alabama elected a new slate of leadership at its annual convention Saturday night, marking a transition as chairman Riley McArdle prepares to graduate.
The organization selected Grace McCarty as its next chairwoman following a vote of delegates representing campus chapters from across the state. McCarty will succeed McArdle, who has led the federation over the past year and represented College Republicans within the broader Alabama Republican Party.
“I’ll do anything I can to serve the state,” McCarty said in her acceptance speech, “We can celebrate, but we have work to do.”
McCarty, a student at the University of Alabama, previously served as chair of the UA College Republicans chapter, where she hosted a candidate forum and various other speakers at the university.
McArdle, who did not seek another term due to graduation, reflected on his time leading the federation and the organization’s progress over the past year.
“Thank you all for the opportunity to serve,” McArdle said, “it’s been an eventful journey.”
During his tenure, McArdle oversaw dozens of events across the state, helping the organization across the state.
Delegates also elected additional members to the executive board, including Keener Linder of Auburn University as vice chairman, Krista Miller of the University of Alabama as secretary, Carson Posman of the University of Alabama as treasurer, Haley Ray of Auburn University as chief justice and Emma White of the University of Alabama as executive director.
The annual convention serves as the federation’s primary election meeting, bringing together student leaders from across Alabama to conduct official business and set priorities for the coming year.
This year, the event was sponsored in part by Nicole Jones Wadsworth for lieutenant governor, and during the event, Wadsworth made a campaign speech to the student leaders gathered for the convention.
“I’m just a small-town girl from Indiana, but love Alabama politics so much, and I’m so excited and honored to be your chairwoman,” McCarty said during her address.
Trenton Buffenbarger is a senior at the University of Alabama and is the Chairman of the UA Young Americans for Freedom.
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