The Democratic National Committee’s credentials committee ordered a new round of elections for state party leaders in Alabama.
The Alabama Democratic Party will have to re-do its leadership elections after the credentials committee ruling on several challenges to Chairwoman Nancy Worley and Vice Chairman Randy Kelley’s election over the summer.
The challenges followed a contentious meeting at the party’s summer meeting. The new election will be for chair and vice chair and must be held within 90 days. Worley and Kelley will remain in their positions until the election.
The DNC must provide final approval of the credentials committee recommendation, and the national party is expected to supervise the election do-over. The committee also ordered a review of the state party’s bylaws.
The new election comes after years of criticism of Worley and Alabama Democratic Conference leader Joe Reed. The criticism from within the party itself went as high as Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, who publicly backed Worley’s challenger at the summer meeting.
“With today’s decision, the Alabama Democratic Party is moving towards becoming more transparent, inclusive, & is making room for more voices & views,” Jones tweeted Thursday. “That’s good for the party & good for Alabama. When we have 2 party competition over ideas we all benefit.”
With today’s decision, the Alabama Democratic Party is moving towards becoming more transparent, inclusive, & is making room for more voices & views. That’s good for the party & good for Alabama. When we have 2 party competition over ideas we all benefit. https://t.co/XBXWk4aL0b
— Doug Jones (@DougJones) February 15, 2019
The challenges to Worley’s election claimed rules were broken to benefit Worley and Kelley. Another challenge argued the party didn’t follow its diversity requirements.
Worley said she will run for chairwoman again in the re-do election and hopes to put the challenges to rest.
“While I disagree with their decision, I look forward to our having the opportunity to lay any concerns to rest and our continuing to represent our important Democratic principles,” Worley told the Associated Press.
