By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Saturday, May 17, the Young Republican Federation of Alabama held their convention in Birmingham. Alabama’s next generation of leaders met for networking, continuing education, fellowship, and to elect new State officers. Chairman Clayton Turner was not seeking another term.
The Young Republicans unanimously selected Greater Birmingham Young Republican Chair, Jackie Curtiss.
For Senior Vice Chairman the YRs elected Jordan Doufexis.
Secretary Gardendale Councilman Blake Guinn was elected Secretary.
County Commissioner Brandon Shoupe was elected Treasurer.
Brent Beal was elected to be National Committeeman.
Megan Rhea Lewis was chosen to be National Committeewoman.
Matt Brown was voted in as Congressional District One Chairman.
In Congressional District 2 Drew Nelson was elected Chairman.
In CD3 Adam Thompson was chosen as Chairman.
In CD4 Ashley Stanford will serve as Chair.
In CD5 Robert Irvin was elected Chairman.
State Representative Matt Fridy will be the Chairman of Congressional District 6.
In CD7 the Young Republicans elected Stephanie Petelos.
Outgoing YRFA Chairman Clayton Mark Turner told the group, “It has been an honor to serve you. I appreciate you more than you will ever know.” Turner said that one of the highlights of his term was that the YRFA hosted the YR national convention. Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus, Senator Jeff Sessions, and Alabama Governor Robert Bentley were all guests at the YR convention.
Turner said then two major donors backed out of their commitments to support the YR Convention. “That left us with $25,000 in debt in 2013. Today we are entirely debt free.” Turner thanked Sen. Jabo Waggoner, Speaker Mike Hubbard, State Rep. Matt Fridy, Sen. Bill Hightower, and others for their help in retiring the debt. Turner also thanked US Representative Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) for hosting the YR fundraiser to retire the debt. We asked several other people who declined. Martha Roby went above and beyond in her efforts. Without her we will still be in debt.
Turner said that the YRs have had some fights with our State party. “As you know I supported Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin in her bid to be the Alabama Republican Party Chairman, but I have been encouraged by new Chairwoman Terry Lathan. She stands strong for the YRFA and also for the party as a whole.”
Clayton Mark Turner is the Assistant Secretary of the National Young Republicans.
Turner said, “During the last three years I have learned a lot and have grown as a person. I believe in this organization. Being a leader does not mean having the title chairman ahead of your name. Thank you very much for letting me serves as you leader.” Turner did not seek another term as Chairman.
Joel Blankenship nominated GBYR Chairman Jackie Curtiss for Chair. Blankenship said that Curtiss since becoming active in the YRs has rarely missed a GBYR meeting and has never missed a YRFA meeting. She has represented Alabama at the Republican Convention as a delegate and represented the YRs as their National Committeewoman. No other candidate was nominated so the vote was by acclamation.
After her unanimous vote, Jackie Curtiss said that she would work to make Alabama the best place to live in the country and that Alabama already has the best YR federation in the country but that she hoped to work to make it even better.
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 YRFA 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. Curtiss is married to prominent political consultant Chris Brown. The two have a son, Parker. Both Curtiss and Brown will have seats on the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee.
Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) joined the YRs for a social on Friday at the Birmingham Barons game. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange (R) spoke at the YR luncheon on Saturday.
