As campaign mailers and digital advertising funded by the so-called American Conservative Fund (ACF) political action committee continue to overwhelm parts of Alabama with competitive legislative races, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) said he is urging his members to stay focused on their public image in their district.
During an appearance on Rightside Media's "The Rightside" podcast, Ledbetter seemed to downplay ACF's impact on his members' elections.
ACF, a Virginia-based entity, registered with the State of Alabama in January 2025 after initially receiving a $500,000 donation from Win For America, a PAC funded entirely by a $2 million donation from DK Crown Holdings, Inc., the corporate entity for DraftKings.
In its most recent filing, Win For America has received $43 million from FanDuel, $19.5 million from DraftKings and $4 million from Fanatics, with ACF being a $26.6 million beneficiary.
When asked about the outsized role of ACF PAC money in the election cycle, the DeKalb County Republican said he urged members of his caucus to be active in their districts, which he said was more important than votes or negative campaigning.
"[I] think what you pay attention to is what they do at home," Ledbetter said. "You know, I tell my members all the time, you know, there's not a vote you take in Montgomery that is going to beat you. What's going to beat you is if you don't do your work at home. Man, I think most of them do a really good job. I mean, the BCA had done a poll before we started this session. I've never seen Alabama's legislature rank. I think their approval rating was 68%. I've never seen it that high."
He continued, "But I think it's got a lot to do with what we talked about earlier. What's happened in the last quadrennium certainly is important. And that's what people are going to vote on. I mean, how do they know you in the community? I mean, are you a part of the civic club? Do you go to church with them? Do your kids play softball together? I mean, they know you, or they wouldn't have voted for you to begin with."
You know, a lot of the negative stuff that comes out, people know you. And so, I mean, for the most part, they're going to support who they know and who they think is going to do a good job. And a lot of our members, and I've told them this time, they've got enough to run on after this last quadrennium without question."
"So, yeah, I don't pay a lot of attention to that. I know there has been some. I've seen the write-ups, and certainly see it coming in the U.S. Senate race. I see quite a bit of millions and millions of dollars in that race from out-of-state groups, too. So, I guess, and I think us as Alabamians had rather it just be us Alabamians making the decisions, but it looks like that money comes all from over."
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.
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