House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) said he “could give a shit about the Republican Party” in leaked audio from a contentious caucus meeting on Thursday afternoon.
It was revealed shortly after the Thursday meeting that House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) would be taking a few weeks' leave of absence as majority leader.
Stadthagen announced recently that he is running for Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) chairman. The leave of absence will allegedly last until after the chairman’s race is decided on March 7.
SEE ALSO: Scott Stadthagen taking ‘leave of absence’ as House majority leader, Chip Brown named interim
State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island) has been named interim majority leader. Brown is the sponsor of a controversial bill to change the Public Service Commission (PSC) from an elected to an appointed body.
According to multiple sources, the House GOP Caucus meeting on Thursday was called shortly after the House gaveled out, following the withdrawal of the PSC legislation from the calendar. Members were told during the meeting that the bill was pulled without a vote because it was unlikely to have enough support in the Senate.
Members then began a sometimes heated debate over whether Stadthagen should be allowed to remain as Majority Leader while running for ALGOP chairman.
Some, including Ledbetter, reportedly thought the two simultaneous roles would be a conflict of interest. Others defended Stadthagen and said it would benefit the party and the caucus to have unity if the same person held the chairman and Majority Leader roles. Some also said it would make it easier for ALGOP to have closed primaries. Ledbetter told members he wouldn’t support closed primaries because it could result in multiple current members of the House Republican caucus losing their seats.
Ledbetter can be heard saying in a leaked clip from the Thursday meeting, “Stay together as a family. We do not have to agree. I know somebody comes to me sometimes, and you don’t agree with me, and that’s fine, but I’m going to tell you what I think.”
Ledbetter then proceeds to reference his “concerns” about Stadthagen running for ALGOP chairman.
“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.
When asked about the leaked audio, Ledbetter said in a statement to 1819 News on Sunday night, “My priority has been and continues to be getting every Republican member of the Alabama House of Representatives reelected and growing the party’s supermajority.”
“When you’re Speaker, House Republican elections come first, and any other race — as important as they are — come second. I wholeheartedly support the Republican Party and am proud to champion all efforts to promote conservative leadership and policies in our state. Our record is proof of that,” Ledbetter said.
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