One of the candidates who has made a splash in the 2022 contest for Alabama's GOP gubernatorial nod is Opelika pastor Dean Odle.
Odle's campaign signs are throughout the state, and he brings an obvious presence with him to campaign events.
Wednesday on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," Odle discussed his bid and what led him to seek Alabama's highest office.
According to Odle, it had much to do with the state's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"[I] didn't think I would ever do this, really," Odle said. "When I saw how Governor Ivey and really our leaders across the state [handled] the coronavirus pandemic, and especially restricting churches and how [they] could do things I realized was violating my First Amendment rights -- of course, we didn't shut our church down, and that whole series of events, made me start looking into the disaster that is our current administration, leaders -- from the prisons to schools being dead last, everything.
"My gift is being a leader and doing what's right, even when it's not popular, and speaking the truth, even when it's not popular. I am the most censored gubernatorial candidate in Alabama history. I've had my YouTube channel terminated, 24,000 subscribers, 5 million views in the last few years. That was terminated because of the things I was willing to talk about. So, I think people are ready for non-politicians. We saw that with President Trump. And they're ready for people who are straight-shooters. That's just who I am."
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