Former United States President Donald Trump scored a sweep of Alabama's GOP House delegation for his 2024 presidential campaign.
The recent development extends the Republican businessman's lead over his primary rivals in endorsements despite various legal challenges that he is currently facing. On top of the House delegation, Trump also received support from five statewide elected officials.
Trump Campaign Support
The former president's campaign announced the endorsements a day after Trump himself was arraigned on federal charges related to his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot. Despite the Republican's legal woes, he has continued to receive support from GOP lawmakers, many of whom have vocally defended him against the lawsuits.
Trump is now set to appear at the Alabama Republican Party dinner that is scheduled on Friday evening and will be held in Montgomery. The former president is supported by all six Alabama GOP House members, namely; Robert Aderholt, Mike Rogers, Gary Palmer, Barry Moore, Jerry Carl, and Dale Strong, as per Politico.
Additionally, he has endorsements from Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, and all three members of the Alabama Public Service Commission. However, Katie Britt, the state's junior senator, has not yet endorsed Trump in the race or has revealed plans to do so nor has Gov. Kay Ivey.
A spokesperson for Britt, Sean Ross, said that the senator had so far maintained a neutral stance in the primary due to serving on the Republican National Committee's Advisory Council. However, she noted that her husband would be in attendance at Trump's rally on Friday.
On the other hand, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is Trump's leading primary rival, is known to have the support of Alabama's state auditor, Andrew Sorrell. But the former president has continued to win over congressional lawmakers amid his efforts to return to the White House.
The Republican businessman has maintained a significant lead over his primary opponents in terms of congressional endorsements. This is something that officials view is the result of the former president's efforts in building and maintaining relationships during his time at the White House. According to The Hill.
Criminal Charges Against the Former President
Trump's campaign previously rolled out endorsements from House GOP delegates in Pennsylvania and Michigan. On the other hand, DeSantis' campaign has also touted its various congressional endorsements, such as in South Carolina and New Hampshire.
Several hours prior to Trump's landing in Montgomery, hundreds of people flooded into the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Convention Center for the scheduled event. In a statement, ALGOP Chairman John Wahl said that the state's Republican Party was excited to have the former president join the recent event.
Wahl added that Trump was a very loved candidate in the Yellowhammer State and that many of his supporters believe that the indictments against him are only being used as political tools to damage his presidential campaign and keep him from being elected president again.
The chairman also said that the criminal charges against the former president related to the 2020 election and Capitol Hill insurrection led him to question the integrity of the country's justice system in upholding the first amendment, said WSFA.
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