Earlier this year, the Alabama House of Representatives passed legislation officially known as a ban on "divisive concepts" in the K-12 public school classroom.
It was informally known as a Critical Race Theory ban. It failed to make it through the Senate, and some GOP lawmakers have vowed to bring it back in 2023.
State Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), the bill's sponsor, blamed a dilution of the Republican Party in one-party Alabama. During an appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5, he said that some Republicans had become "uncomfortable" with Republican legislation.
"The House passed the anti-CRT bill, the divisive concepts bill," Oliversaid. "It took us a little longer than we had expected, and a lot of that was making people understand the importance and the need. We failed in the Senate, and once again, it's one of those issues where every district is different. And as Republicans have taken power and more people come to the Republican Party, we have got some purple districts now – you have got some purple districts that are uncomfortable with Republican legislation. That's just where we are."
According to Oliver, some Republicans were still trying for Democrat votes.
"I take responsibility for some of that, for not explaining it well enough and convincing my colleagues how important this is," Oliver said. "But once again, there are a lot of influences at play. I'm in a district where it is not a problem for me to be a Republican. I can be as conservative as I need to be, and folks here appreciate that. I think some other people still have a misconception that Democrats will vote for them. I believe ultimately that's just not true. Republicans vote for Republicans, and Democrats vote for Democrats."
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com.
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