Stan Cooke, a pastor, announced on Friday his candidacy for Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) chairman, pledging to unify the party, strengthen its grassroots foundation, and boldly advance President Donald Trump’s America First agenda across the state.
According to a press release announcing his candidacy, at a time when divisions within the party have created tension among leaders and activists, Cooke says the moment demands steady leadership rooted in faith, integrity, and conservative conviction.
“The Alabama Republican Party must be strong, united, and focused on winning,” said Cooke. “Our mission is too important to be distracted by internal division. As Chairman, I will work tirelessly to bring our party together under shared conservative principles, support President Trump’s America First agenda, and ensure that our state party operates with honesty, transparency, and integrity.”
Cooke has served as pastor of the Kimberly Church of God for 22 years and brings more than 42 years of ministerial leadership experience. He is the founder and president of Abraham’s Promise, an international Christian mission organization supporting humanitarian and educational initiatives in Israel, Jordan, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador, and the Palestinian Territories.
For more than three decades, Cooke has promoted democracy, free markets, religious liberty, and human rights worldwide. His professional experience spans both the ministry and the private sector, including 21 years in business and management roles. He worked his way through college in warehouses and coal mines, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college and earn a Ph.D.
Cooke holds degrees from Lee University, The Jewish-Christian Institute, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham/University of Alabama dual-degree program, with studies in theology, physical science, biblical studies, education leadership, higher education administration, and related fields.
“As Republicans, we believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, faith, family, and freedom,” Cooke said. “But we must also believe in each other. We win when we stand together. My goal is to rebuild trust within our party, strengthen our county organizations, support conservative candidates at every level, and ensure that Alabama remains a stronghold for conservative leadership.”
Cooke is married to Linda Michelle Cooke, who works as a word processing specialist at Burr & Forman LLP in Birmingham. They have two daughters, Heather Cooke Hill and Heidi Cooke O’Donnell, both occupational therapists.
Cooke said he looks forward to meeting with Republican leaders, grassroots activists, and county party officials across Alabama in the coming weeks.
“Our party belongs to the people,” Cooke said. “It is time to refocus, recommit, and move forward together.”
Other candidates in the ALGOP chairman's race include Joan Reynolds and House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle). An election for the position will be held on March 7 at the ALGOP State Executive Committee meeting in Hoover.
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