On Saturday, Alabama Republican Party executive committee members will meet to elect a new chairman to fill the vacancy created by John Wahl's resignation earlier this year to seek the state's lieutenant governorship.
Members will also consider and approve other measures related to party business.
However, one item that looms large over the meeting is the possibility that, during the new business portion of Saturday's gathering, there will be a last-minute proposal to remove House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) as a Republican candidate for his House District 24 election on the May 19 GOP primary ballot.
Ledbetter is unopposed in that race and is the presumptive Republican nominee.
The DeKalb County Republican was captured on surreptitiously recorded audio during an emergency House Republican caucus meeting at the Alabama State House on February 12, apparently making disparaging remarks about the Alabama Republican Party.
His comments were related to his "concerns" about then-House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen's (R-Hartselle) previously announced bid for the ALGOP chairmanship.
"Do I have concerns right now? I do. Not going to lie. My concern is we need to do what's best for this body. Period. I could give a shit about the Republican Party," Ledbetter said.
In recent days, Ledbetter and his allies have made efforts to repair the potential damage to his image caused by the remarks, including highlighting a social media post from U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) praising the House Speaker, a letter signed by all 75 House Republicans vouching for Ledbetter and a pro-Ledbetter op-ed bylined by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Friday afternoon, Ledbetter took it a step further by apologizing in an email obtained by 1819 News, sent to ALGOP executive committee members.
"I recognize that my comments a few weeks ago may have offended some of you," the email from Ledbetter said. "That was not my intention, and for that, I apologize. I was simply taking up for my republican House members and letting them know I was focused on helping them win their races. I chose the wrong words, which have been taken out of context. That is my fault."
Any effort to remove Ledbetter from the GOP ballot would face procedural obstacles. However, those familiar with the internal workings of the ALGOP proceedings tell 1819 News that if the proposal successfully reached the floor for consideration by the entire body, it would only require a simple majority.
In 2018, the party's state executive committee considered a similar gesture that would have censured then-U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) for declining to support 2017 special election Republican nominee Roy Moore in his U.S. Senate bid against Doug Jones. The measure was stopped in its tracks after being tabled indefinitely by 58%-to-42% margin.
Ledbetter email as follows:
Subject: A Message From Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter
Members of the Republican Party Executive Committee:
I am grateful for each of you and for the work you do to strengthen our Party across Alabama. We share a commitment to conservative principles, electoral success, and ensuring that our state remains a model of effective Republican leadership.
The truth is simple: I care deeply about the conservative values our party represents — so much so that I have committed myself over the last decade to fighting to reelect Republican members of the Alabama House of Representatives.
Since 2018 — my first election cycle as House Majority Leader — I have helped raise nearly $15 million to support Republican races from Mobile to Huntsville.
And let me just say, our record in these races speaks for itself:
• We notched 77 wins in 2018 and 77 in 2022.
• The Republican supermajority currently stands at 76 members, four seats stronger than it was following the 2014 cycle.
• Overall, Republicans are 144 for 144 in regular House elections since 2018.
• In special elections, we are 5 for 6.The men and women who won these races have delivered on the promises that matter most to Alabamians.
We enacted the strongest pro-life protections in America, passed the Child Predator Death Penalty Act, imposed mandatory life sentences for fentanyl traffickers, and strengthened election integrity by banning ballot harvesting and requiring post-election audits — making Alabama safer and more secure.
We have also eliminated DEI bureaucracies on college campuses, defended parental rights in public education, protected fairness in women’s sports, and established one of the strongest school choice programs in the nation.
At the same time, we delivered over $1.4 billion in tax cuts and made record investments in public education — all while maintaining the fiscal discipline conservatives expect and taxpayers deserve.
The conservative record we have amassed by implementing many of the State Republican Party’s policy recommendations has led to the Alabama Legislature being consistently recognized as one of the most conservative in the nation. That is a team accomplishment made possible by our partnership.
Additionally, I was proud to serve as Coach Tuberville’s Campaign Chairman during his run for U.S. Senate, which resulted in flipping that seat red.
I recognize that my comments a few weeks ago may have offended some of you. That was not my intention, and for that, I apologize. I was simply taking up for my republican House members and letting them know I was focused on helping them win their races. I chose the wrong words, which have been taken out of context. That is my fault.
I have also heard your voices on closed primaries. I have personally co-signed as a sponsor on HB541 and intend to work through the process of having Republicans choose Republicans and Democrats pick Democrats. While our session is now short, I will commit to work with the Party on this important issue.
The goal of this message is to emphasize that we, as Republicans, are stronger when we work together. The next election cycle will demand even greater unity and focus, and I am committed to ensuring we are prepared.
If you ever need anything, have any questions, or simply want to share a meal and talk about how we can make Alabama stronger, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Let’s move forward together — focused, united, and determined to keep Alabama the most conservative state in the nation.
Thank you,
Nathaniel Ledbetter
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.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
