Alabama Republican Party chairman John Wahl officially qualified to run for lieutenant governor on Friday after receiving President Donald Trump's endorsement a day prior.
Some of his opponents, who had already qualified and were campaigning, criticized Wahl for the last-minute decision, accusing him of using his position to boost his notoriety and gain a head start in the race.
"By entering this race, Nehemiah Wahl has, once again, betrayed his obligation to the Alabama Republican Party," said candidate Wes Allen, Alabama's current secretary of state, referring to Wahl's first name. "Instead of living up to his duty to promote Republican values and the success of Republican candidates, he has chosen self-promotion that will undercut the campaigns of Republicans up and down the ballot. Democrats are fielding the strongest slate of candidates in recent history, and the Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party is giving them ammunition to attack every Republican candidate in the state."
Outgoing agriculture commissioner Rick Pate said he would not have supported Wahl for GOP chair if he had known Wahl would use the position "against" him.
"Obviously, John got in that position to know Trump's folks because I and others on the state executive committee elected him chairman," Pate told 1819 News. "Put him in position to know who to fundraise from. Probably wouldn't have supported him if he was going to use that position to run against any of us. I was one of nine Trump electors as well as a delegate in 20 & 24. One of the first to endorse him this cycle. White House called me last night to explain their decision. Doesn't change anything for me. Speaking to as many Alabamians as I can."
Retired U.S. Army Major Pat Bishop was unfazed by Trump endorsing Wahl.
"That's the beauty of democracy," he said. "The people of Alabama will select the next Lt. Gov to lead our state. This allows our team to continue focusing on what we will do as public servants to make Alabama better. See you all May 19th and November 3rd."
Candidate Dean Odle said Wahl earned Trump's endorsement since Allen, who was seen as the frontrunner, was a "never-Trumper."
"Trump's endorsement of John Wahl is mostly irrelevant unless John officially gets in the race today. However, it does reveal that Trump does not want Wes Allen to be our next Lt. Governor," Odle said. "The President must have seen the article that exposed Wes Allen as a Never-Trumper. But even if Trump did not see that article, Wes Allen does not agree with Trump's agenda to truly secure our elections by getting rid of the voting machines and going to hand-counted paper ballots. Furthermore, as I pointed out in the Lt. Governor debate the other night in Hoover, Wes Allen voted to raise our taxes when he was in the legislature. So, he does not really adhere to the conservative GOP platform about lowering taxes."
The other candidates in the lieutenant governors' race before Wahl — Nicole Wadsworth and George Childress — did not respond or were unable to be reached for comment. Stewart Tankersly also qualified on Friday.
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