By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Tuesday, October 25, 2016, Greater Birmingham Young Republicans Chairman Justin Barkley tendered his resignation as Club Chairman. Vice-Chairman Haley Lucido will assume the role of interim Chairman for the remainder of his term.
Barkley said in his resignation letter that between going back to school and a recent promotion at work he no longer had sufficient time to continue as Chairman. Barkley lost his bid to unseat incumbent Stephanie Bell (R) in the Republican Primary earlier this year.
Interim Chairman Lucido said in an email to members: “This morning Justin Barkley presented me with his letter of resignation as Club Chairman. His resignation letter is attached. I would like to say thank you to Justin for the time he has dedicated to our club and I wish him the best on his future endeavors! As Vice Chairman, I am honored to take over as Interim Chairman and lead the club forward for next weeks until we have our Officer Elections, at which time I will officially run as Club Chairman.”
Lucido continued, “Since our November GBYR monthly meeting was due to fall on the Thursday following the election, I decided to move our meeting up to Election Day. ALGOP has been kind enough to include us as co-host for their election night party, so this will take place of our regular monthly meeting. Food, beer and wine will be provided.”
The ALGOP staff is still working on the details for the November 8, 2016, event, but every GOP group in the area is expected to be at this event.
Chairman Lucido wrote, “At the November meeting, we will also be having our 2017 officers’ elections. If you plan to run for office, and have not submitted your name to the election officer, Joel Blankenship, please do so ASAP. Joel.R.Blankenship@gmail.com
Lucido said that only current members are able to vote, so if you are a member who has still not paid your dues, they are only $25 and must be paid in full prior to the officers’ election.
The GBYRs will be joined by young Republicans from across the state for get out the vote (GOTV) efforts in Jefferson County the weekend before the election in order to help Jefferson County Republicans win county wide races in Alabama’s largest county: a county that has been trending Democratic in the past two presidential elections at the cost of numerous Republican judicial races.
Lucido said that planning is underway for the group’s annual Christmas Party which is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 8, at Haven.
Lucido said, “This event is free for dues paying members & associate members. More details will follow with this event after the November 8th election has passed.”
