Thomas Sick of D.C. Casson is a candidate for the Republican nomination for the 3rd Congressional District Congressional of Alabama. Casson will be on the ballot challenging longtime incumbent Mike Rogers, R-Saks, or at least that is what he hopes. On Tuesday, Casson learned that his ballot access is being challenged.
There will be an Alabama Republican Party hearing at Republican headquarters on Sunday, Dec. 8. The party will decide whether Casson will be allowed on the Alabama Republican Party ballot. Casson was informed that he may respond in person to the ALGOP Candidate Committee.
“I am saddened that this could not be worked out without a hearing, but I look forward to speaking to the Candidate Committee of the GOP,” Casson said. “As anyone can see, there are factual errors in the challenge itself. I never declared candidacy in 2019 as an independent.”
“In 2018, I did attempt to secure ballot access, but was unable to attain the high bar that had been set by the Alabama Legislature,” Casson said. “I will gladly explain to the committee why I attempted ballot access outside the party process in 2018. I’m hopeful that they will see that it was a hard decision, made out of love for our shared principles – not simply due to politics.”
Casson has also asked for help in securing ballot access from his opponent Congressman Mike Rogers.
“I have sent a letter to my representative in the U.S. House for support in gaining ballot access,” Casson said. “My hope is that he understands the importance of having many voices involved in our political process and will help make this right.”
The committee is limiting Casson to just seven minutes to present his defense, including witnesses, if any. Casson’s candidacy is being challenged by longtime political strategist Chris Brown. Brown is also challenging “Sick of D.C.” appearing on the ballot if Casson were allowed on the ballot. While Casson has officially changed his middle name, then-candidate Robert Bentley also changed his name to Dr. but the Alabama Republican Party denied that request in 2010.
The Republican Party primary will take place on March 3.
Casson ran against Rogers in the 2016 Republican primary and received 25 percent of the vote.
There are reportedly several Republican candidates being challenged. The Alabama Political Reporter has requested that the Republican Party provide a list of all the candidates facing challenges.
Rogers is seeking his tenth term representing the people of Alabama’s 3rd Congressional District. He is the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee and a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee.
