Stan Cooke on Friday announced his candidacy for chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, pledging to “unify the party, strengthen its grassroots foundation, and boldly advance President Donald Trump’s America First agenda across the state,” according to a news release.
Cooke, a pastor, said the moment demands steady leadership rooted in faith, integrity and conservative conviction.
“The Alabama Republican Party must be strong, united, and focused on winning,” Cooke said. “Our mission is too important to be distracted by internal division. As chairman, I will work tirelessly to bring our party together under shared conservative principles, support President Trump’s America First agenda, and ensure that our state party operates with honesty, transparency, and integrity.”
Cooke has served as pastor of the Kimberly Church of God for 22 years and has more than 42 years of ministerial leadership experience.
He founded and leads Abraham’s Promise, an international Christian mission organization that supports humanitarian and educational initiatives in Israel, Jordan, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Ecuador and the Palestinian Territories.
For more than three decades, Cooke has promoted democracy, free markets, religious liberty and human rights worldwide, he said. His professional experience includes 21 years in business and management roles in the private sector. He worked in warehouses and coal mines while attending college, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college and earn a doctorate.
Cooke earned degrees from Lee University, The Jewish-Christian Institute and the University of Alabama at Birmingham and University of Alabama dual degree program. His studies include theology, physical science, biblical studies, education leadership and higher education administration.
“As Republicans, we believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, faith, family, and freedom,” Cooke said. “But we must also believe in each other. We win when we stand together. My goal is to rebuild trust within our party, strengthen our county organizations, support conservative candidates at every level, and ensure that Alabama remains a stronghold for conservative leadership.”
Cooke is married to Linda Michelle Cooke, a word processing specialist at Burr and Forman LLP in Birmingham. They have two daughters, Heather Cooke Hill and Heidi Cooke O’Donnell, both occupational therapists.
Cooke said he plans to meet with Republican leaders, grassroots activists and county party officials across Alabama in the coming weeks.
“Our party belongs to the people,” Cooke said. “It is time to refocus, recommit, and move forward together.”
