MONTGOMERY — State Rep. Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle) resigned as majority leader on Tuesday, sources confirm.
The resignation comes just days after Stadthagen announced he was taking a leave of absence to run for Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) chairman.
Stadthagen, elected as majority leader in 2022, took leave after a House Republican Caucus meeting in which House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) and others reportedly voiced concerns over a possible conflict of interest.
Stadthagen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A leaked audio recording from the meeting revealed Ledbetter said he “could give a shit about the Republican Party,” and that elected leaders should “stay together as a family.”
State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger’s Island) is the interim majority leader.
Brown is the sponsor of a bill to change the Public Service Commission (PSC) from an elected to an appointed body. According to caucus members, the bill was withdrawn due to a lack of support in the Senate.
Sources also tell 1819 News that the two emerging candidates for majority leader are Brown and State Rep. Paul Lee (R-Dothan).
The House Republican Caucus meets again on Wednesday.
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