Hold Ledbetter Accountable: Protect Alabama Republican Voters

We, the undersigned Alabama citizens, urge the Alabama Republican Party State Executive Committee to take immediate action to defend the integrity of the Republican brand, uphold conservative accountability, and prevent continued voter disenfranchisement.

Recent reporting indicates that Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter stated in leaked audio, “I could give a sh*t about the Republican Party.”

This is not a minor rhetorical issue. It is a matter of trust: the Republican Party exists to represent the principles and priorities of the Republican voters who build it, fund it, volunteer for it, and elect its candidates.

What we’re asking the ALGOP SEC to do

We respectfully request that the SEC:

1. Formally place this matter on the agenda and conduct an immediate review of whether Speaker Ledbetter’s conduct and publicly reported remarks are consistent with Republican leadership and candidacy.
2. Issue a clear written finding that addresses the substance of the remarks and sets a standard for accountability in party leadership.
3. Take decisive accountability action, including removing party support and replacing Ledbetter as the Republican nominee for House District 24, using the SEC’s lawful authority and established procedures. Alabama law expressly authorizes the party’s executive committee to fill a vacancy in nomination when a vacancy occurs “by… revocation, or otherwise.”
4. Communicate transparently to Republican voters what action was taken and why.

Why this petition matters

The audio and transcript were publicly posted by ALPolitics.com on Feb. 15, 2026 (one day before 1819 News’ Feb. 16 report), including the quoted statement.

1. Multiple outlets reported the remark and subsequent controversy, including Alabama Political Reporter, and 1819 News reported Ledbetter’s response that the comment was about prioritizing House Republican elections and maintaining the supermajority.
2. Ledbetter previously ran as a Democrat and later won office as a Republican. The Associated Press reported he first ran unsuccessfully as a Democrat and later won after switching parties.
3. (Additional historical materials circulated in prior cycles also referenced his 2010 Democratic run and later switch.)ALGOP currently lists Nathaniel Ledbetter as a qualified 2026 Republican candidate for House District 24.

Our principle

Republican voters deserve leadership that respects the party, respects the voters, and governs consistent with conservative values—not a power structure that depends on insulating incumbents from accountability. If party labels mean anything, then contempt for the party and its voters must carry consequences.

Call to action

By signing, you call on the ALGOP SEC to act immediately—publicly, transparently, and decisively—to restore trust and accountability in Alabama Republican leadership. Sign this petition and share it across Alabama.