MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Beginning preparations for the next legislative session, the Alabama House Republican Caucus on Wednesday tapped Republican Reps. Nathaniel Ledbetter and Chris Pringle to lead the state’s lower chamber.
The caucus opted to nominate again the men who held the leadership roles during the 2026 session, with Ledbetter of Rainsville as House speaker and Pringle of Mobile as House speaker pro tem.
Though incumbent Reps. Leigh Hulsey, R-Helena, and Phillip Rigsby, R-Huntsville, were defeated by Democratic challengers during Tuesday’s midterms, the caucus easily maintained its supermajority in the House. The group holds more than 70% of the 105 seats in the chamber.
Ledbetter, who first assumed the position in 2023, said that leading his colleagues in the House GOP as speaker has been one of the greatest honors of his life. He reflected on the past four years and said that the caucus’ work is tied to a “shared dedication to doing what is best for the people of Alabama.”
“While I am very proud of the results this body has delivered for our state, I am not satisfied,” Ledbetter said. “There is still much work to be done, and I am confident the House Republican Caucus will continue building on our successes, tackling the challenges ahead, and delivering results for the people we are so blessed to serve.”
Pringle also assumed leadership in 2023. He thanked the caucus for its vote of confidence in nominating him again to serve as the chamber’s second-in-command.
“It truly is an honor of a lifetime to serve as Pro Tem alongside so many dedicated leaders who are committed to doing what is best for our state,” Pringle said. “I view my role as Pro Tem as being the person who steps up to take on the difficult, less glamorous jobs that no one else is particularly excited to do. I am committed to continuing to be that leader for this body, and I am deeply honored that our House GOP trusts me to serve them in this vital role.”
The nominations will go before the full House for a vote on Jan. 12 during the organizational session.
The caucus also moved on Wednesday to reelect Rep. Paul Lee of Dothan as House majority leader.
Lee took over the role from Rep. Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle, in February after a series of leadership changes sparked by former Alabama Republican Party Chair John Wahl’s last-minute decision to run for lieutenant governor.
Lee said he looks forward to what the caucus will accomplish during the upcoming quadrennium, which will be his first full term in the role.
“It is an absolute honor to be elected by my fellow House GOP members to serve as their Majority Leader,” Lee said. “The strength of our caucus is not found in any one individual, but rather in the unique, God-given abilities each member brings to the table. As I begin my first full term, my number one goal is to leverage those abilities to deliver results the people of Alabama can be proud of. From our freshman members all the way to House Leadership, I have every confidence that this caucus has the talent, experience, and determination to continue moving Alabama forward.”
The legislative session begins on Feb. 2.