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Many in the AL GOP do not want lifelong Conservative Republican Dean Odle on the Republican primary ballot on May 19th so we need your help! Please write a letter of recommendation explaining why Republican Candidate Dean Odle SHOULD be allowed to remain on the Republican primary ballot. Please include your name, address, telephone number, and local Republican club name (if you are a member). Email your letters to [email protected] or gather a group of handwritten letters and email us at [email protected] to coordinate getting them to us by SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8th.
WHAT HAPPENED?
For those asking for more information regarding the AL GOP's decision to kick Dean Odle off of the ballot, here are the chain of events:
January 20, 2026 - Dean Odle submitted the qualifying paperwork and paid the $1,604.24 fee to be on the Republican ballot. Dean Odle was listed on the AL GOP website among the "Qualified 2026 Republican Candidates."
January 30, 2026 - Dean Odle received an email from AL GOP Chief of Staff Shannon Whitt containing resources for qualified Republican candidates.
January 31, 2026 - Dean Odle received "leaked" information that the AL GOP had received a ballot challenge against him. The information reflected that some challenged candidates would be allowed a hearing, some (Dean included) would not, and some favored candidates would get a "free pass" with their challenges being completely dismissed.
February 2, 2026 - Dean Odle received a letter from the ALGOP dated February 1, 2026. The letter stated:
"Your ALGOP Qualifying Form has been received by the Alabama Republican Party Candidate Committee. Based on publicly available information, it has been found that you are currently in violation of the ALGOP Standing Rules. I am including the applicable section of the Standing Rules below.
Sore Loser: No person shall be permitted to qualify as a candidate for public
or party office if in a prior Republican primary election that person was
defeated and thereafter sought election to the same office in the same
election cycle as an independent, write-in, minor party candidate or
otherwise. This Rule is in effect whether the individual is defeated by a
primary opponent or removed by ballot challenge. Additionally, the sore loser
shall automatically be removed from all Republican Executive Committees.
Based on this information, you have been removed from the primary ballot for the
Alabama Republican Party. If you would like to appeal your denial of ballot access
and seek a 3⁄4 vote of the Steering Committee, please let me know in writing by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, February 4, 2026."
February 3, 2026 - Dean Odle emailed a request for an appeal hearing to which Shannon Whitt responded, "We will hear appeals in person on Sunday, February 15 in Birmingham. I will send additional information out this week about the process and what you can expect."
February 4, 2026 - The AL GOP received a letter from Dean Odle's attorney requesting an appeals hearing as well documentation and materials the committee relied upon in reaching their decision to remove Dean Odle from the Republican ballot.
February 5, 2026 - Dean Odle and his attorney received an email from Shannon Whitt stating that the Candidate Committee will be meeting later this month to CONSIDER his request for appeal. The letter states that Dean needs to provide the following by MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH:
"You should submit the information and documents that you would like us to consider in deciding whether to grant a hearing for your appeal. This could include letters of reference or recommendation from local Republicans, evidence of Republican activity or involvement, and context for the infraction referenced in your denial letter."
This is where we are today. Some candidates with legitimate challenges against them are given a free pass by the AL GOP Steering Committee while others are possibly being denied the basic right to be heard. Please write a recommendation letter for Dean Odle explaining that he IS a true Conservative Republican who deserves to be on the ballot and that denying him ballot access while allowing others to stay on the ballot shows bias and favoritism in the AL GOP decision making process.
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