MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Republican Party saw a strong performance last week in the general election, picking up 40 seats across the state, largely in partisan judicial races for positions like circuit clerk or judge.
“The Alabama Republican Party has worked with purpose and commitment, not only in securing wins here at home, but also in leading national volunteer and election integrity efforts,” Alabama GOP Chairman John Wahl said Friday in a statement.
According to Jeannie Burniston, Alabama GOP communications director, the party’s volunteers conducted more than a million phone calls and text messages, sent mailers to more than 500,000 households, and supported candidates with advertising across radio and television.
The Alabama GOP’s performance this election came short of its performance in the 2022 midterm elections where the party picked up 50 seats. It also included a major loss in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, where Democrat Shomari Figures turned the district blue for the first time since 2011, and only the second time since 1963. That district became competitive after it was redrawn last year by order of a federal court to increase its Black population.
Still, Wahl championed the party’s performance this year, laying special praise on Alabama GOP volunteers and their efforts.
“We are incredibly proud of our team and volunteers who poured their time and energy into reaching voters with our message of freedom, fiscal responsibility, secure borders, and protecting our children from radical agendas,” Wahl said.
According to unofficial election results from the Alabama Secretary of State’s office, a total of 2.3 million ballots were cast in Tuesday’s election. With roughly 3.9 million registered voters, that amounted to a voter turnout rate of 58.55%, well below the voter turnout rate in 2020 of 63%, and even further below the rates seen in 2016, 2012 and 2008 of 66.8%, 73.2% and 73.8%, respectively.
“The Alabama Republican Party still believes in commonsense and serving the people,” Wahl continued. “That’s what our message is all about – it’s time to put the people of America first again. This election season showcased the power of committed grassroots action, both here in Alabama and in key battleground states.”