Party politics
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See recent postsRep. Scott Stadthagen wins Alabama GOP chair after runoff vote
The former House majority leader defeated John Merrill at Saturday's winter meeting to lead Alabama Republicans into the 2026 election cycle.
State Representative Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle, was elected chairman of the Alabama Republican Party on Saturday after winning a runoff vote against former Secretary of State John Merrill.
Members of the Alabama Republican Party State Executive Committee selected Stadthagen during the party’s annual winter meeting, filling the vacancy created by the recent resignation of former chairman John Wahl.
Stadthagen stepped down as majority leader of the Alabama House of Representatives in order to seek the party’s top leadership post.
Three candidates initially sought the position: Joan Reynolds, who assumed the role of acting chair following Wahl’s resignation, Stadthagen and Merrill. After the first round of voting failed to produce a majority winner, Stadthagen and Merrill advanced to a runoff, where Stadthagen secured the chairmanship.
The vote places Stadthagen at the helm of the state party as Alabama Republicans prepare for the upcoming 2026 election cycle.
