Robertson, Coley Hosted by Republican Club of Central Alabama in Montgomery

The Republican Club of Central Alabama met Tuesday evening, September 9 at Sinclair’s East in Montgomery for their regular monthly meeting. Some two dozen members and guests attended, and had the opportunity to hear Alabama Attorney General candidate Katherine Robertson and Chairman of the Montgomery-River Region Minority GOP Cedric Coley speak.

Robertson began by giving her history with the Attorney General’s office, which she joined when current AG Steve Marshall took office in 2016. “It’s been a fun ride,” she said, relating that when she and Marshall came onboard “we were still fighting the leftover effects of Obama,” in terms of resisting his liberal policies. “Then Trump, then COVID, then Biden,” Robertson continued, emphasizing that the AG’s office has had to adapt to several widely different environments over the years.

“Our goal is to make the State safer,” Robertson continued. As the current Chief Council in the AG’s office, “we have a vision for what we take on,” commenting that she’s learned that “most other States don’t have original jurisdiction to prosecute cases,” as the Legislature has given Alabama’s AG. She described how the Republican AGs Association—all 29 of them—frequently work together on national issues. Often, the choice of a venue for a certain issue will be selected by a group of like-minded AGs based on where a particular case will be best received.

Robertson then went on to expand on this idea of cooperation with Republican AGs to describe how for several years now, the AGs office has worked closely with the Legislature to pass laws benefitting the State. She described the Prison Reform Bill, and then focused on the Speedy Trial Act as two excellent examples of this.

The Speedy Trial Act, sponsored by State Senator Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road, who was at Tuesday's meeting) was signed by Governor Ivey last May, expedites trials for violent criminal cases, reduces backlogs and ensures swift justice for victims by allowing the AGs office to assume cases at the request of local DAs.

Robertson concluded by stating that her goal when elected to the office would be to “stay the course” of the office—to continue working with local agencies and governments, as well as the Legislature, without interruption. “Wouldn’t it be nice,” she asked, “for the next AG to continue on without having to relearn the job, or establish their own relationships with the Legislature?"

She then took several questions about a number of issues related to crime in Alabama’s major cities, especially Montgomery and  Birmingham, as well as how the new Speedy Trial Act will work, once people become used to the new law.

Cedric Coley, who was recently elected to lead the Montgomery-River Region Minority GOP, spoke while wearing a white “47” hat. He opened by using the hat as an example of how President Trump’s re-election “was about the future of this nation,” and “the expansion of our Party across the nation.” He pointed out that in the last election “capitalistic principles won. Civil liberties won.”

“When Trump said ‘MAGA’, people responded. When he said ‘Make America Safe Again’, people responded. When he said ‘Let’s put America first’, people responded,” Coley said.

“Black and non-White Americans came out for Trump in record numbers," Coley went on. “This hat reminds me that every day is a fight to restore this Republic.”

“The task at hand is Montgomery County. What happens here sends a ripple effect across the State. In Montgomery County, there are people who are upset and afraid. The Democratic machine has given them lies and empty promises. We can use the Alabama Minority GOP as a vehicle to get conservative educational principles into every community,” he said.

“The battle is here. If we can impact Montgomery County, we can affect the whole State. 1776 is right now. It’s tomorrow. It’s every day, that we want to work together to restore this Republic,” Coley concluded.

After the meeting adjourned, several of the attendees remained to meet and talk with the speakers.

To learn more about Katherine Robertson, her campaign website is KatherineforAG.com.

For more information on the Republican Club of Central Alabama, contact the group through their Facebook page.