By Erica Thomas, Managing Editor
Katie Britt addressed the Republican Women of North Shelby County during its November luncheon at the Inverness Country Club. As a candidate for U.S. Senate, “faith, family and freedom” is what Britt said she wants to defend for the state of Alabama.
Britt is running to replace Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Alabama), who is retiring.
Ahead of the luncheon, Britt canvassed the room asking attendees what their biggest concerns were. When asked by 1819 News what her biggest concern was, Britt didn’t have a specific concern but said there are a lot of them. She said she has the ability to “look at all things from the outside” and listen to her constituents about what they want for Alabama.
Among topics people said they were concerned about were education, immigration, and federal COVID-19 mandates. Britt, who resigned her position as President/CEO of the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) prior to announcing her candidacy, told 1819 News she “inherited a mess” with BCA.
“I was very disappointed in them,” Britt told 1819 News. “I worked so hard to turn them around (just) to see them revert back. Think about it. We led the charge against shutting down businesses in the beginning of COVID. We were against shutting down and against all mandates. It’s disappointing.”
Britt was referring to the BCA speaking out against legislation in Alabama to prohibit the federal government from requiring employers to ensure employees are fully vaccinated.
Britt addressed the issue again after taking the mic at the luncheon. A question was asked about how she will stand for all of the people of Alabama if she is accepting considerable monetary donations from the business community and those who support the BCA’s stance on vaccine mandates. Britt said she has worked hard to gain financial contributions and most of her donations.
“95% of that money has come from individuals,” Britt said.
“…I will say though when it comes to BCA, I obviously had a very different approach to the vaccine mandates and if you look back during my tenure at BCA, you know I inherited a great deal, I worked through that and really tried to reshape that organization.”
Of all the things she learned while working for the BCA, Britt said she learned to ask more questions when interviewing for a job because “that place was a mess.”
The purpose of the Business Council of Alabama is to “improve the business climate across the state,” according to its website. The BCA has not yet returned a call from 1819 News to respond to Britt’s claims.
Small business is still something about which Britt said she cares deeply. Other issues she said she wants to work on for the people of Alabama are agriculture, veterans’ programs, rolling back taxes, protecting life and protecting the Second Amendment.
“The very best thing that the government can do on any level is get out of the way,” Britt said.
After prayer and consulting with her family, even her young son and young daughter, Britt said she decided to run for Senate because someone needs to “fight for the little guy.”
“I am here to tell you, we have a great state with great people and we have a great story to tell,” she added.
However, Britt said her family wants to see more political involvement from people of all ages in the state.
“We believe if the next generation doesn’t get off the sideline and step up and get engaged, there’s not going to be a country left for our children to fight for and that is where we are and that, my friends, is worth fighting for,” she said.
Britt added that leaders need to stand up to liberal ideals, seal the border and hold China accountable for undermining the American worker.
The audience was able to submit questions to Britt. Other than concerns about her relations with BCA, audience members asked questions on several issues. One question was about her criticism of opponent Mo Brooks on whether a military draft should include women. Britt didn't say whether she believed women should be included or not but she did address her criticism of Brooks.
"He actually voted yes to women in the draft first, so this is a career politician for you," Britt answered. "Vote for it before you vote against it. Welcome to Mo Brooks. So he voted for it and then voted against it on the floor."
When asked about her stance on a military draft after the speech, Britt told 1819 News she actually believes in no draft and believes all military members should join voluntarily.
When asked why voters should pick her over Brooks, she said she believes it is time for new blood and pointed to Brooks' age when asked about how she could compete with his experience.
She said when asked about her age, she has learned to say, "My opponent has been on the ballot or living off the government dime for 40 years, and I will actually be 40 (years old when I'm) on the ballot, so I feel that provides a really stark contrast, right?"
When asked about a state lottery, Britt said that is a state issue that the state legislature should figure out.
You can watch the full video from the luncheon below.
Other Republican candidates running for Shelby’s seat are Congressman Mo Brooks, businesswoman Jessica Taylor, veteran Mike Durant, and former Ambassador to Slovenia Lynda Blanchard.
The Republican primary is May 24, 2022.
