When You Can't Beat the Quarterback, You Try to Cancel the Game

The Alabama Republican Party did exactly what it was supposed to do. It examined the facts, applied the law, and dismissed the challenge to Senator Tommy Tuberville's candidacy, allowing Republicans to move forward and focus on what really matters-the future of Alabama. Chairman Scott Stadthagen and the members of the committee deserve credit for refusing to let the Party become a stage for political theater. They made a decision based on the evidence and prevented an unnecessary distraction from consuming a campaign that should be about ideas, leadership, and results.

Unfortunately, I suspect this is only the opening chapter. Alabama conservatives have watched the national playbook for years. When the left cannot defeat a candidate on the issues, it looks for procedural challenges, lawsuits, and endless controversy. They tried it against President Trump, and now we are seeing a smaller version here. The goal is not simply to question Tommy Tuberville's qualifications. The goal is to keep the conversation away from an Alabama First agenda that has enormous appeal to the people of this state.

Mr. McFeeters has every right to seek office and every right to file a challenge, but it is difficult to ignore the political reality. His campaign generated far more attention attacking Tommy Tuberville than it ever did promoting his own vision for Alabama. When your agenda and leadership fail to capture the public's imagination, attacking the frontrunner becomes the easiest path to relevance. In my opinion, he has become a willing tool for those who would rather stop the Alabama First movement than compete against it.

The real beneficiaries are Doug Jones and the Alabama left. They understand that Alabama voters are not looking for a blue-state agenda built around bigger government and Washington politics. They are looking for safer communities, better jobs, stronger schools, secure elections, affordable energy, and a government that works for taxpayers instead of bureaucracy. Rather than debate those issues, the strategy becomes distraction. Every day spent arguing over manufactured controversy is a day not spent discussing economic development, workforce training, infrastructure, or attracting the industries that will define the next generation of prosperity.

That is why Coach Tuberville's candidacy represents such a challenge to his opponents. As Alabama's Senior United States Senator, he has spent the last six years building relationships that can benefit this state. He understands that a Governor's job is to compete aggressively for jobs, investment, military expansion, artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and agricultural opportunity. As Coach Tuberville has often said, "I'm a football coach. I believe in discipline, accountability, and getting results." That philosophy is exactly what Alabama government needs.

The contrast could not be clearer. Coach Tuberville is talking about building Alabama. His opponents are talking about stopping Tommy Tuberville. One side is focused on an Alabama First future; the other is focused on political distractions. Chairman Scott Stadthagen and the Alabama Republican Party did the right thing by closing the door on this controversy and allowing Republicans to return to the issues that matter most. Now the voters should insist that this campaign be about who has the best plan to make Alabama stronger, more prosperous, and more competitive-not who can generate the next headline.

The committee has spoken. The distraction should be over. It is time to get back to building Alabama, because Alabama First is more than a campaign slogan-it is the blueprint for our future.

Perry O. Hooper Jr. is a former state representative, the 2016 Trump Victory Chair, a current member of the Alabama Republican Party State Executive Committee, and a widely read columnist who writes on politics, government, and current affairs.

Opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Alabama Gazette staff or publishers.