Birmingham native and University of Alabama student Riley McArdle is kicking off his campaign for chairman of the College Republican Federation of Alabama (CRFA) with an impressive list of legislative endorsements and an ambitious agenda.
McArdle is currently the vice chairman of the group. He spent a year as the chief of staff before that.
As the former chairman of the University of Alabama College Republicans (UACR), McArdle spearheaded several new initiatives. In a phone interview, he told 1819 News that he was most proud of the success of an event the group held with ALGOP chairman John Wahl, "Challenge the Chairman." McArdle estimates that Wahl spoke to about 200 students throughout the event.
In his written statement, McArdle said, "Under my chairmanship, we gained over a hundred new members, smashed fundraising records and held more events than ever before. I'm hopeful that we'll see similar growth at the CRFA over the next year."
McArdle said he hoped to use that fundraising success to establish a political action committee to "foster conservative values for the next generation."
McArdle was an outspoken supporter of SB129, which banned Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs at Alabama's public colleges and universities, but he believes there is still work to be done.
He spoke about the ongoing efforts, including a recent meeting with State Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville), the House Ways and Means Education Committee chairman, who visited campus.
"[I] let him know that this stuff is still going on," McArdle said. "It's just sort of rebranded as other things that sound a little bit more moderate than (less) radical than DEI is. So it is certainly still an issue here at UA and Auburn as well."
He said that as chairman of the CRFA, he would work to ensure the law was enforced statewide. One of his proposals is the creation of a standing "Policy" committee. If elected, he plans to tap his running mate, Luke Troutman, executive director and former chairman of the Auburn chapter, as the chair of the new committee.
In a written statement, McArdle said, "I'm really excited to have Luke Troutman, Executive Director and former Chairman of our Auburn chapter, as my running mate this go-around. I'm looking forward to working together to grow our Federation exponentially and expand our influence throughout the state."
Related: Riley McArdle: Where's the outrage as major colleges ban DEI?
McArdle has strong ties to many elected officials in Alabama and has racked up an impressive list of what he's calling "day-one endorsements," including State Senate President Pro Tempore Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman), State Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa), State House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle), State Rep. Ron Bolton (R-Northport), State Rep. Bryan Brinyark (R-Northport), State Rep. Bill Lamb (R-Tuscaloosa), State Rep. Cynthia Almond (R-Tuscaloosa), State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover), and former Secretary of State John Merrill (R-Tuscaloosa).
According to McArdle, the current chair, Avery Alexander, is not running for reelection.
Apryl Marie Fogel is a Birmingham resident who frequently appears on and guest hosts radio programs around the state. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X at @aprylmarie.
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