Alabama Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, is the new House Majority leader, the chamber’s GOP caucus decided on Wednesday.
The decision follows a rocky few days for the majority party after a leaked audio recording from last week’s closed meeting.
Lee, a lawmaker since the Republicans’ 2010 takeover of the State House, has most recently been chairman of the House Health Committee.
“Our House Republican Caucus must keep its focus on the important issues and initiatives being discussed during the 2026 regular session and finish the job that each of us were sent to Montgomery to complete,” Lee said in a written statement Wednesday afternoon. “At the same time, we must continue representing the conservative beliefs, traditional values, and bedrock Republican principles that our Caucus members embrace and share with our constituents back home.”
He replaces Rep. Scott Stadthagen in the majority leader role. Stadthagen, R-Hartselle, officially resigned from the post Wednesday after announcing last week he is running to be chairman of the Alabama Republican Party.
A post from 1819 about the caucus meeting included a recording of House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter telling members he “could give a shit” about the state party and that members’ focus should be on legislative success and winning elections.
Ledbetter later told ADN the context of his comment was prioritizing the reelection of current House GOP members and adding new ones in 2026 over party leadership races. Traditionally, the House majority leader oversees caucus re-election efforts as a primary responsibility.
“My priority has been and continues to be getting every Republican member of the Alabama House of Representatives reelected and growing the party’s supermajority,” Ledbetter said Monday. “When you’re Speaker, House Republican elections come first, and any other race – as important as they are – come second. I wholeheartedly support the Republican Party and am proud to champion all efforts to promote conservative leadership and policies in our state. Our record is proof of that.”
The ALGOP chairmanship is open after John Wahl resigned to run for lieutenant governor. Acting chair Joan Reynolds is also seeking the leadership spot. The party will vote on a new leader in two weeks.