By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com
ALABAMA — On Sunday, December 8, the Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) heard numerous ballot access challenges from across the state. Among those was a ballot challenge regarding current DeKalb County District Judge Steven Whitmire.
On October 8, Whitmire filed paperwork with ALGOP to seek re-election to office through the Republican primary in March 2020, despite being the incumbent Democrat Judge. The state committee voted to deny Whitmire ballot access in the upcoming Republican primary. According to ALGOP Communication Director Jeannie Faherty, the committee of 22 state party officials heard several different cases and a total of three (3) separate candidates were denied ballot access. No comment was given by Faherty as to why the committee reached this conclusion.
Whitmire made no public announcement of his intentions to switch parties and had failed to appear before the Dekalb County Republican Party prior to filing according to DeKalb County Republican Party Chairman David Gulledge. “He had privately inquired with some party members, but then submitted his paperwork directly to the state Republican Party. Some of the local party leaders felt that was an attempt to ‘work around’ the local Republicans,” stated Gulledge.
In a prepared statement from Whitmire, he expressed disappointment in the committee’s decision but felt he was a Republican in his heart. He further said he felt he had always been fair in his courtroom to everyone and would not be too overly concerned with any political party. Whitmire stated he had the support of a number of local elected Republican officials and party members alike. In closing, Whitmire’s statement read; “Despite the Committee’s ruling, or what may come from it, I guarantee that I remain committed to serving the people of DeKalb county to the best of my ability. That’s what I’ve always done and what I will continue to do.”
Teresa Darwin Phillips, a DeKalb County attorney from Sylvania, qualified to run as a Republican for DeKalb District Judge.
