By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Tuesday, the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans met with friends, candidates, and prominent Republican political officials at their annual Christmas Party. This year’s event was held on Tuesday, December 17 at the Wine Loft at 2200 First Avenue North in Birmingham.
Alabama Young Republican Chairman Clayton Turner said afterwards on Facebook, “If there is a better Christmas Party in Birmingham or the YRNF I don’t know what it is! Such a phenomenal job done by all of our officers especially JR Blankenship as the best Santa ever!”
Chairman Turner said, “Most importantly, extremely appreciative of all of our sponsors and exponentially proud of the job our new Chairman, The Jackie Curtiss, did with the event!”
The new Chair of the GBYR is Jackie Curtiss. Curtiss was elected the group’s Chairman in their November meeting without any opposition.
Curtiss was a delegate to the 2012 Republican Convention and served on the GOP’s platform committee. Curtiss is a past State committeewoman for the GBYR and served on the group’s finance committee. Curtiss was Vice President of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty while a student at Montevallo and has been an active volunteer in numerous campaigns across the state.
The 2013 GBYR Chairman, Jimmy Entrekin, is now the legal counsel for the Office of the Alabama Speaker of the House’s office. Entrekin is a lawyer with an established practice in Jefferson and Shelby Counties and is an experienced campaign consultant.
There were numerous sponsors of the GBYR Christmas Party event, but the headline sponsors were the four announced Republican candidates for Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District: state Representative Paul DeMarco from Homewood, Dr. Chad Matthis from Indian Springs, longtime Harbert executive Will Brooke, and Alabama Policy Institute founder Gary Palmer.
Incumbent Congressman, Spencer Bachus (R) from Vestavia has announced that he is retiring at the end of his term which ends in 2014 so this is a rare opportunity for someone win an open congressional seat.
The Greater Birmingham Young Republicans voted DeMarco their favorite elected leader at the group’s annual Christmas Party on Tuesday. Shaun McCutcheon was voted the group’s favorite Republican for his financial support and his bold challenge of federal election law limits which has gone all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. A decision in the case is expected in the coming months.
Christmas carols played, while powerful political players hobnobbed with 20 something young professionals who are just beginning their professional and political lives. The food included chicken on a stick, seafood casserole, cheese cubes, crab cakes, crackers, and vegetables snacks, including carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli.
Numerous Republican 2014 candidates were in attendance. A partial list includes: Attorney General Luther Strange; PSC Commissioner Jeremy Oden; 6th District Congressional Candidates: DeMarco, Palmer, and Dr. Mathis; Secretary of State candidates Jim Perdue and Rep. John Merrill; PSC candidate Jonathon Barbee; and state Representative candidates: Steve French, Joe Freeman, John Amari, Cheryl Ciamarra, Amie Beth Shaver, David Wheeler, and Rep. Jack Williams.
Clayton Mark Turner is the Vice Chairman of the GBYR. Ward Henecker is the Secretary. Marshall Hollis is the Treasurer. Marshall Yates is the State Committeeman. Haley Lucido is the State committeewoman. Joel Blankenship is the Sargent at Arms and John Macklem is the County Liaison.
The Greater Birmingham Young Republicans meets monthly to network and discuss the issues that affect the lives of Young Alabamians.
