By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Tuesday, July 21, the Alabama Republican Assembly announced that that the Alabama Republican Presidential Straw Poll will be in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, October 17, 2015. The event is sponsored by the Alabama Republican Assembly and will be held at the Bryant Conference Center on the University of Alabama campus.
The President of the Alabama Republican Assembly, Jennifer Montrose said, “This allows Alabamians a unique chance to reflect our state’s conservative values ahead of the March 1, 2016, Presidential Preference Primary. The event is open to any Alabama voter eligible to participate in the 2016 Republican presidential primary.”
ALRA is inviting all of the major campaigns to attend the event, and engage voters in dialogue concerning their agendas. ALRA is hosting the event in partnership with the UA College Republicans, the West Alabama Republican Assembly, and the Tuscaloosa County Young Republicans.
President Montrose said, “All major Republican candidates are welcome to either participate in person or delegate appearances to their Alabama Campaign Chairs. We will give all of those who attend the event an opportunity to cast a vote among those candidates. And Alabamians looking to make a change to America will be able to eat, learn, mingle, and vote for their preferred candidate – all for only $25.00.”
Organizers expect that the event will draw over 1000 attendees based on the excitement shown in Alabama compared to 2011, when the event drew 800 attendees.
Conservative radio and T.V. personality, Dr. Gina Loudon will Emcee the event. Dr. Loudon is the host of America Trends with Dr. Gina, a News Anchor on, PolitiChicks, and the best-selling author of What Women Really Want. Dr. Gina is probably best known in Alabama for her past stint as a conservative news talk radio show host on 101.1 FM in Birmingham.
Montrose said, “We are incredibly excited about this event. Alabamians are ready for a reform- and growth-oriented agenda, after eight years of socialized medicine, economic stagnation, regulatory overreach, spiraling deficits, and declining education. We are ready to begin to put the power back in the hands of local communities, families, and churches. This event will be a first step to ensuring that America’s future and conservative Alabama values are represented in the national GOP debate.”
Montrose said that there are still sponsorship and vendor opportunities for this event: “As the first event of the Alabama election cycle, the straw poll is going to be an exciting place.”
Montrose said, “We’ll have over 1,000 people excited to eat, buy local Alabama fare, and get to know the small businesses that make Alabama so strong. It’s a great one-day sales opportunity, but just as important, it’s a great opportunity for local vendors to build lasting relationships with citizens from all over the State.”
Sponsorship opportunities are $250 and up. Venders and political organizations can purchase table space for as little as $100, but act quickly as space is limited.
To register as an attendee or to learn more about being a sponsor, contact Jennifer Montrose and the Alabama Republican Assembly, at info@thealabamastrawpoll.com
You can also register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-alabama-straw-poll-2015-tickets-17814947989#
Vendors/Organizations can purchase a table/space for $100 (limited space). Corporate sponsorship packages start at $250 up to $2,000.
Republican Presidential candidates at this point include: Gov. Scott Walker, businessman Donald Trump, Gov. Jeb Bush, Dr. Ben Carson, Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Rick Perry, Sen. Rick Santorum, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Rand Paul, Gov. George Pataki, businesswoman Carly Fiorina, Gov. Chris Christie, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Gov. John Kasich, and there will likely be more in October.
The Alabama Republican Assembly promotes itself as a grassroots conservative organization that champions free market ideals, pro-Life, and traditional family values.