Patrick Bishop addresses St. Clair County Republicans

September 18, 2025 – PELL CITY, AL – Lieutenant Governor candidate Patrick Bishop addressed the St. Clair County Republican Party at their regularly scheduled meeting.

Bishop is a retired U.S. Army Major and is currently a Cullman County Sheriff's deputy. Bishop is also a Christian preacher.

"I am blessed to be here with you," said Major Bishop.

Bishop said that he would like "To serve you as Lieutenant Governor."

"My family has served this country for generations," said Bishop. "My father served in Korea. "My wife is currently a Birmingham Police officer."

Bishop said that he served in a U.S. Army special operations unit including serving as an advisor to Lt. General Russel L. Honoré for deployments and other operations including combat deployments and Hurricane Katrina.

Bishop worked in Pell City in 2004 and 2005 where he got to know the community well.

He praised St. Clair County for having a veterans court.

"Every courthouse needs a veterans court," said Bishop.

Bishop faces a crowded Lieutenant Governor Republican Primary field that includes current Secretary of State Wes Allen, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate, economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones Wadsworth, and Lee County Pastor and schoolmaster Dean Odle,

Alabama House of Representatives candidate Bryan Newell also addressed the group.

"I am running for Alabama House of Representatives District 50," said Newell. "I am a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Military."

Newell lamented that the number of veterans in the Alabama Legislature has been on decline in recent years.

"It was down to eight in the House and two in the Senate; but now it may be down to even less than that," said Newell.

"I am a 22-year veteran of the U.S. military," said Newell. "I deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan,"

In addition to working for Alabama's veterans Newell said that he wants to focus on economic development in St. Clair County

"We need to wake up and go out and find those individuals companies," to move here said Newell. "Businesses are moving to Texas, Tennessee, and even Kansas we need them to come here. We have two interstates (I-20 and I-59) running through our county."

Newell is running for the open HD50 seat. Incumbent Rep. Jim Hill (R-Odenville) is not seeking re-election. Former Moody Mayor Bill Morris has also announced that he is a candidate for the office. Republican qualifying does not end until August so other candidates are likely to enter this race.

HD50 incudes the St. Clair County communities of: Argo, Margaret, Springville, Odenville, Moody, Cook Springs, Wolf Creek, Cropwell, the western portion of Pell City, as well as the northernmost portion of Leeds.

Aaron Lonnergan addressed the group as well.

Lonnergan is the new Chairman of the St. Clair County Young Republicans.

Lonnergan said that the Young Republicans are holding a food drive from now to November 4th with the Healing Place Church in Ashville.

"The Healing Place Church serves 260 families in need," said Lonnergan. "We are accepting dry or canned goods."

Lonnergan said that to donate you can, "Text me or go to the Healing Place Church and tell them that you are donating as part of the Young Republicans or bring it to any of our meetings this year."

Lonnergan announced that the Young Republicans are having a shooting competition as a fundraiser in November. The competition is open to anyone including novices. Follow the Yrs on their Facebook. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Pell City radio station 94.1 FM has already agreed to be a sponsor.

St. Clair County Republican Party Chairman Phil Seay announced that dues to join the St. Clair County Party are $30 for individuals and $50 for couples.

Seay said in his legislative report, "I am for every other year sessions."

St. Clair County Commission Chairman Stan Bateman said that the county is in excellent financial shape.

"We got plenty of money," Bateman said.

Presumably this means that there will not be another tax increase in the near future.

Jaxon Phillips reported that the St. Clair GOP is launching its new website,

The new site is:

Stclairgop.org

Phillips said that students who want to apply for St. Clair County Republican Party scholarships will be able to apply online at the website. Members of the community will be able to follow 2026 candidate qualifying online.

Future functions will be coming in the coming weeks.

"You will have the ability to log in and add your profile," said Phillips. "I am working on getting it where you can pay dues online."

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