Tabitha Isner and T.C. Coley have agreed to join together on a unified ticket seeking to lead the Alabama Democratic Party. Isner would serve as party chairman and Coley as vice-chair, according to a press release.
“I’m proud to partner with T.C. Coley on this mission to unify the Democratic Party and amplify the Democratic platform,” Isner said in the release. “We will be laser-focused on the issues that matter to the people of Alabama.”
The release lists a number of top issues for the party, including expanding Medicaid, protecting voting rights, protecting workers’ rights and fixing Alabama’s broken criminal justice system.
Isner has been a prominent figure in state Democratic circles for the past several years and ran for chair of the party in 2019. She finished second to current chairman Chris England, who announced last month that he plans to step down as chair.
Isner didn’t fade into the shadows, though, after the loss. Instead, she became an important figure in educating state voters on the process of redistricting, traveling around the state holding forums and community meetings in which she explained the process. In addition, she has been an advocate for prison reform and filed a lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Corrections for failing to follow Open Records Act laws.
Coley, in the meantime, is also no stranger to state politics. He’s held public office in the Tallapoosa area for more than 20 years and currently serves as a county commissioner representing the Alexander City area. He’s also worked for the past 10 years as an education advocate and field organizer, the press release states.
“We will center the Alabama Democratic Party directly on issues that improve people’s lives instead of hurling insults or peddling in the false narratives with which the Alabama Republican Party has based their entire platform,” said T.C. Coley. “While we will be transparent and give people positive choices, make no mistake that we will vigorously push back on misguided policy and shine a bright light on outright lies from the GOP to protect Alabamians and strengthen our state.”
The ADP will hold its annual meeting on Saturday in Birmingham. It will hold elections for party leadership positions.
