Last month, 1819 News reported on an event hosted by the Republican Women of North Shelby County. At that event, Tanveer Patel, a candidate for Hoover City Council Place 1, told the attendees, "As a proud Republican and an owner of a small business, a working mother, I know what it means to balance a budget," sparking questions about her political affiliation among attendees.
Municipal elections in Alabama are nonpartisan, and Patel's party affiliation had not been an issue in the campaign until she gave that speech. However, an independent review of Patel's voter record shows she voted Democratic ballots in the 2018 and 2020 primary elections.
There are no political contributions in her name on the state or federal level before this election cycle that would indicate a previous party affiliation.
Sources tell 1819 News that longtime Republican consultant and former member of the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) steering committee, Brittney Garner, a Patel consultant, has personally assured concerned Republican leaders that Patel is, in fact, a Republican. When asked about Patel's party and specifically her previous primary votes for Democrats, Garner referred questions back to the campaign's press contact.
In response to an inquiry by 1819 News about whether she was a Republican, Patel stopped short of confirming her previous claim to be one. Instead, saying, "I've always leaned conservative."
Responding to a question about her support of Republican leaders, Patel said, "I support President Trump's economic policies and Alabama leaders like Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville. My beliefs are rooted in faith, family, and fiscal responsibility, not party labels."
She further said, "I recently joined the Republican Women of Shelby County to show my support and help with outreach." The Republican Women of Shelby County president said that Patel was not a member of their group.
According to Diane Caldwell, president of the Republican Women of North Shelby County, Patel's first meeting with the group was the candidate forum, and she became a dues-paying member this weekend. Caldwell said, "We don't check voting records or anything like that." All Republican women are welcome to the group's meetings, and there is no minimum attendance requirement or litmus test to join; the bylaws simply state, "Membership in this Organization shall be voluntary and shall be extended to all biological women at birth who are in sympathy with Republican objectives." Patel did not respond to a request for comment on whether she supported the ALGOP platform.
Patel has consistently been one of the top city council candidate fundraisers across the state, currently ranking second in total contributions and leading the state in spending.
"The $82,615 we've raised shows strong grassroots support from Hoover families, small business owners, and modest help from relatives and friends. Every dollar has been allocated to local printing, local jobs in advertising, and digital outreach," she explained.
When asked about her attendance at city council meetings, Patel declined to specify exactly how many she has attended and how many she has spoken at. She told 1819 News, "I've attended multiple council meetings and community events, and I'm running to bring smart, practical solutions, not politics, to City Hall. After all, municipal elections are nonpartisan."
"I hope this campaign will be judged on its ideas, values, and vision, not assumptions. I love Hoover, and I'm here to serve," Patel added.
The election will be held on August 26. Information about the election calendar and polling places is from the City of Hoover Elections website.
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