By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Saturday, November 18, 2017, the Young Republican Federation of Alabama (YRFA) Steering Committee passed a resolution suspending their support for Roy Moore’s candidacy for the United States Senate by a supermajority vote. The resolution also calls for Roy Moore to step aside as the Republican nominee if he is unable or unwilling to clearly and convincingly refute the allegations against him.
“The YRFA is a diverse organization with clubs all over the state of Alabama,” said YRFA Chairman Jackie Curtiss. “We understand, respect, and appreciate that there are varying opinions on this issue within our Federation. We also encourage and welcome individual clubs to speak out on this issue according to the conscience of their membership.”
The move follows a similar resolution by the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans (GBYRs), by far the largest YR chapter in the Alabama YR Federation.
“Roy Moore has a record of failed governance and jurisprudence as evidenced by his being removed from the office of Chief Justice of Alabama,” the GBYR resolution read.
The Shoals Young Republicans rejected the resolution passed by the YR state steering committee and passed their own resolution supporting Judge Moore.
“The Shoals Young Republicans is a conservative group of individuals that realize what is at stake in this election,” said Josh Dodd, Vice-Chairman of the Fifth Congressional District for the Young Republican Federation of Alabama. “We understand that President Trump’s tax plan, a repeal of Obamacare, and funding for a border wall will not pass if Doug Jones is in the Senate. Jones does not represent Alabama values, such as the right to life and the right to keep and bear arms. America needs Roy Moore to represent these values and fight for a constitutional majority on the Supreme Court.”
The Shoals YR resolution reads: WHEREAS, the Republican voters of Alabama elected Roy Moore to be the nominee of the Republican Party for the Alabama US Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, and WHEREAS, one of the most sacred principles in the American criminal justice system, holding that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty. In other words, the prosecution must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, each essential element of the crime charged, and WHEREAS, the burden of proof should come from an accuser, not the accused, and WHEREAS, the Washington Post is a liberal newspaper that endorsed Doug Jones, the liberal Democrat for US Senate, prior to attempting to assassinate the character of Roy Moore, and WHEREAS, the Alabama Republican Party’s Steering Committee affirmed that we should stand behind Roy Moore as our Senate nominee, and WHEREAS, Roy Moore is a West Point graduate and a Vietnam Veteran with a long career of outstanding and honest public service in Alabama. And WHEREAS, the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee are failing the voters of Alabama by not supporting the Republican nominee, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Shoals Young Republicans continues to support the will of the Alabama voters by supporting Roy Moore, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Shoals Young Republicans urges the Alabama Republican Party to continue to stand by Roy Moore and support him financially, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Shoals Young Republicans urges the Republican National Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee to reinstate their support for Roy Moore for US Senate.”
Hayden Garrison is a member of the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans and he contacted the Alabama Political Reporter to express his displeasure with the decision by the YR steering committee. Garrison wrote that he was, “Severely disappointed in my fellow Young Republicans today. They let propaganda and allegations hurt the Republican Party. Now what was a sure win for our party is a close battle. They just helped abortion on the taxpayers dime, single payer healthcare, gun control, raising minimum wage, and many, many other agendas the Democrats have. Granted Roy Moore was never my first choice and Trump wasn’t either, but here we are. I will always support our democracy and everyone has the right to support who they choose, but to take the actions that the Young Republicans took today was definitely a blow. Granted not many people keep up with Alabama’s Young Republicans unless they are highly indulged in Alabama politics. I’m sure I will receive a few messages after this as well, but you don’t turn your back on the party. Not this day in age.”
John K. with Students for America First at the University of Alabama also contacted APR to express his displeasure with the leadership of the YRFA. John wrote, “The Young Republicans’ refusal to support Judge Moore in his hour of need is testament to not only to the apparent fact that they would rather deliver our senate seat into the hands of the Democrats, but also to their cowardice. The Young Republicans, who constantly fear the Left’s disapproval, are the textbook example of why the past generations of so-called ‘conservatism’ has failed, and why it is up to good men like Judge Moore to right the wrongs and refute the degeneracy that both parties’ establishment burden us with.”
“I, and Students for America First continue to stand by our support of Judge Moore and our condemnation of the GOP Establishment, knowing that a return to the conservative beliefs of patriots like Judge Moore – not the poorly disguised liberal ideology of Young Republicans – is the only way to Make America Great Again,” John wrote. “Judge Moore’s response to Mitch McConnell’s attacks has shown that he will not only to stand up to Democrat corruption, but to the corrupt and godless Republican Establishment as well.”
The Shelby County, St. Clair County, Winston County, and Autauga County Republican Executive Committees all issued resolutions reaffirming their support for Roy Moore for U.S. Senate. The Third Congressional District Republican Executive Committee and Five Congressional District Republican Executive Committee also voted to reaffirm their support for Judge Moore.
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan issued a statement regarding the U.S. Senate election:
“On Wednesday evening, the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee, comprised of 21 members, met to discuss the events and circumstances regarding the December 12 U.S. Senate race,” Chairman Lathan said. “The ALGOP Steering Committee supports Judge Roy Moore as our nominee and trusts the voters as they make the ultimate decision in this crucial race.”
“Judge Moore has vehemently denied the allegations made against him.” Lathan said. “He deserves to be presumed innocent of the accusations unless proven otherwise. He will continue to take his case straight to the people of Alabama. There is a sharp policy contrast between Judge Moore, a conservative Republican who supports President Trump, and the liberal Democrat who will fight and thwart the agenda of our president. We trust the Alabama voters in this election to have our beloved state and nation’s best interest at heart.”
On Sunday, November 12 Chairman Lathan told the Alabama Political Reporter that according to “the Party rule on denying ballot access:”
“Denying Ballot Access: This Committee reserves the right to deny ballot access to a candidate for public office if in a prior election that person was a Republican office holder and either publicly participated in the primary election of another political party or publicly supported a nominee of another political party. The provisions of this Rule shall apply for a period of six years after such person so participated. (This rule does not include all of the reasons for denying ballot access.)”
“It would be a serious error for any current elected GOP official or candidate to publicly endorse another party’s candidate, an independent, a third party or a write in candidate in a general election as well,” Chairman Lathan warned. “I have heard of no GOP elected official or candidate that is even considering this option.”
“The special election between Roy Moore and Doug Jones (D) will be on Tuesday, December 12
Lathan said, “Alabamians will be the ultimate jury in this election- not the media or those from afar.”
