State Representative Jamie Kiel, R-Russellville, was selected Monday as one of 38 Republican legislators from across the country to participate in GOPAC’s yearlong Emerging Leaders program.
Legislative leaders in each state nominate participants, who are selected based on their “demonstrated promise in positively impacting their state and rising within the Republican ranks.”
“I appreciate the opportunity to work with like-minded Republicans from across the nation as we promote and advance the commonsense conservative beliefs and traditional values that the majority of Alabamians embrace,” Kiel said. “This program provides conservative lawmakers like me with the opportunity to share and exchange ideas, and I look forward to discussing Alabama’s ballot harvesting ban that I passed last year because it should serve as a model for other states to follow.”
Founded in 1978 to “promote free market conservatism, reduce government spending, strengthen national security and advance the conservative cause,” GOPAC said it has provided political training seminars for state and local leaders for nearly half a century.
According to GOPAC, the Emerging Leaders program gives participants the skills and information needed to “help them legislate more effectively and ultimately achieve leadership roles within their state or run for higher office.”
Kiel is serving his second term in the House and faces no Democratic or Republican opposition in the 2026 election cycle. He is vice chair of the Ways and Means Education Committee, which allocates about $10.5 billion to Alabama’s K-12 public schools, community colleges and four-year universities.
Kiel founded and operates Kiel Equipment, a heavy equipment company that serves customers across three states. He and his wife, Melissa, have three daughters.
