Former Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill Announces Bid for Alabama Republican Party Chairman

February 21, 2026 - TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Former Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill announced Friday that he is running for Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, setting up a high‑profile contest for leadership of the state's dominant political organization.

Merrill, who served two terms as Secretary of State from 2015 to 2023, said his decision comes after months of conversations with party activists, county chairs, and grassroots organizers who encouraged him to seek the position. His announcement immediately reshapes the race for a role that oversees party operations, fundraising, candidate recruitment, and election‑year strategy across all 67 counties.

In a statement, Merrill said he is running to strengthen the party's infrastructure and support Republican candidates at every level of government. He emphasized the importance of organizational discipline, voter engagement, and maintaining the GOP's longstanding advantage in statewide elections.

The Alabama Republican Party has not yet released the full list of candidates who will compete for the chairmanship, but Merrill's entry is expected to draw significant attention due to his statewide profile and long history in Alabama politics. Before serving as Secretary of State, Merrill represented Tuscaloosa in the Alabama House of Representatives.

Announced candidates include: Merrill, Stan Cooke, Joan Reynolds, and Scott Stadthagen.

The election for party chairman will take place when the Alabama Republican Executive Committee convenes for its upcoming meeting. The chairmanship is chosen by the the roughly 440 state executive committee members, not by a public election.

Merrill said he plans to travel the state in the coming weeks to meet with party leaders and outline his vision for the GOP's future in Alabama. He noted that the party's continued success will depend on strong organization, clear communication, and a unified message heading into the 2026 election cycle.

The Alabama Republican Party remains the dominant political force in the state, holding every statewide office and supermajorities in both chambers of the Legislature. The next chairman will play a central role in shaping the party's direction as candidates prepare for competitive primaries and general elections later this year.