By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Tuesday, August 25, US Senator Ted Cruz (R) spoke in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday, August 25, to a fundraiser for the Tuscaloosa County Republican Party and also spoke to conservative leaders at a Breakfast in Birmingham on Wednesday.
State Auditor Jim Zeigler (R) said on Facebook, “I was blessed to have breakfast today in Birmingham with Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Presidential candidate. He fielded tough questions from 25 Alabama conservative leaders. Here you see, from left to right, Rev. John Killian (immediate Past President, Alabama Baptist Convention); new State Rep. Cory Harbison of Cullman County; Sen Cruz; Ann Eubank, head of Rainy Day Patriots; the new leading, loud voice for common sense in government, Jim Zig Zeigler, the “Waste Cutter”; and new State Rep. Arnold Mooney of Shelby County.”
State Senator Phil Williams (R-Rainbow City) said, “In the past few days I’ve been given the unique opportunity to personally meet with two of the top tier GOP candidates for President: Gov. Scott Walker and Sen. Ted Cruz – and I was greatly impressed by both. I came away thinking consciously how proud I am that the party I support is able to field a broad choice of truly conservative candidates. I hear the left pessimistically opining that the GOP slate is too large….I say that theirs is too narrow. I made the analogy the other day that the Republican field is like the buffet on a cruise ship – everything you’re looking for and all of it in large servings. On the other hand the Democrat slate is the equivalent of showing up at the party and all that the host has out is a bowl of mixed nuts.”
State Representative Tim Wadsworth (R-Winston County) said, “Excellent turnout for the Ninth Annual Lincoln – Reagan Dinner in Tuscaloosa. Senator and Presidential Candidate Ted Cruz from Texas as Keynote Speaker.
The President and Co-founder of the Wetumpka Tea Party, Becky Gerritson said on Facebook, “Great meeting this morning with Senator Ted Cruz and conservative leaders and legislators. I’m so honored to be a co chairman of his presidential campaign team in Alabama.”
Gerritson, along with former Sixth District Congressional candidate Chad Matthis and Rainy Day Patriots co-Chair Ann Eubuank are heading up Senator Cruz’s Alabama leadership team.
Republican Strategist Trey Edwards said of Cruz’s leadership team: “Absolutely stellar leadership team, for the most part. This list represents a group of people that are staunch conservatives and hold themselves to the highest moral and ethical standards. These are the boots-on-the-ground grassroots warriors that have fought for and accomplished real change here in Alabama. I see many of my friends on this list. I am not endorsing Cruz, but with this team behind him, he is set to accomplish great things in Alabama.”
Presidential candidates Ben Carson and Jeb Bush were also in Alabama on Wednesday. Dr. Ben Carson held a private event in Montgomery. Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush held a fundraising breakfast in Birmingham. The cost to attend the Bush Breakfast at Birmingham’s ‘The Club’ was reportedly $1000 a plate.
ABC 33/40’s Venton Blandin is reporting that former Alabama Governor Bob Riley (R), Alabama School Board Member Mary Scott Hunter (R), and Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) were among the over 90 in attendance. Gov. Riley has recently endorsed Gov. Bush.
More presidential candidates are expected to announce events in the state in coming weeks.
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is tentatively scheduled to be in Alabama for a fundraiser on October 1.
Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum’s Alabama team told the Alabama Political Reporter that they are finalizing details on an appearance in coming weeks.
