By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Monday, December 15, Former State Representative Mary Sue McClurkin (R from Indian Springs) has announced that she is running to be the next Chair of the Alabama Republican Party. Current Chairman, former State Senator Bill Armistead, has announced that he is not seeking a third term leading the Alabama GOP.
McClurkin, 67, served four terms in the Alabama House of Representatives for House District 43 in Jefferson and Shelby Counties.
According to her bio at ballotpedia, McClurkin is the Alabama State Chairman for ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council). McClurkin is a successful businesswoman who currently owns McClurkin Enterprises. Previously, she owned Alabama Butane Company, Inc., from 1985 to 2001. McClurkin was an account executive with Riverchase Business Brokers from 1983 to 1985 and the executive director of the Pelham Chamber of Commerce from 1981 to 1983.
In the legislature, McClurkin was a champion of Pro-Life issues. In this past sessions, Rep. McClurkin was the sponsor of the Fetal Heart Beat Bill, House Bill 490, which would require a physician to check for a detectable heartbeat prior to performing an abortion. If a heartbeat is detected, it would be illegal for the physician to perform an abortion. The Fetal Heartbeat Act, if implemented, would, stands to dramatically reduce the number of abortions performed in the state. According to data from the Alabama Center for Health Statistics, 76% of all abortions performed on residents in 2012 occurred at seven weeks or later, a time when a heartbeat can be detected. It is estimated that this would save the lives of approximately 6,000 unborn children a year. Abortion advocates argue that Pro-Life legislation such as this violates the Roe versus Wade Supreme Court ruling which stripped states, including Alabama, of their ability to ban abortions.
Rep. McClurkin Chaired the Education Policy Committee in the Alabama House of Representatives. In this past sessions she served on the Jefferson County Legislation, Shelby County Legislation, and the Ways and Means Education Committees. She was also the Chair of the Subcommittee on Higher Ed Appropriations.
McClurkin and her husband, Van, have three children. She attends Briarwood Presbyterian Church.
She is also involved in the community a member of the Columbia Rotary Club, Young Men’s Christian Association Board of Directors, Galleria Woods Nursing Home, Complete Care Board, Business Council of Alabama trustee, Pediatric Rehabilitation Board trustee, Baptist Health System of Alabama trustee, and as a former President of the Alabama Propane Gas Association.
Mobile County Republican Executive Committee Chair Terry Lathan announced her candidacy for the ALGOP Chair on Friday.
Terry Lathan is a former 5th and 6th Grade math teacher at Mobile Public Schools.
The over 500 members of the Alabama State Republican Executive Committee will select the new Chair at their Winter Meeting on February 21. Kentucky Senator and possible 2016 GOP Presidential contender Rand Paul will be the keynote speaker at the Winter Dinner in the Montgomery Renaissance Hotel at 7:00 pm on February 20.
The GOP is currently still selling tickets to the Winter Dinner.
