By Paul DeMarco
So while it is still early in 2023, next year’s presidential primary is already starting to make headlines.
Alabama will again hold a primary in the Spring of 2024, which means those considering a run to the White House will make their way to the state early.
It appears President Joe Biden is ready to announce in the next couple of weeks that he will run for a second term. That will not matter as much in Alabama primary politics as the state is a strong one for the GOP. Thus, it is very important to those running in the Republican Party Primary.
First to the state is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who will visit Birmingham and headline the upcoming Alabama Republican Party Winter Dinner in March. It is expected that the Governor will eventually throw his hat in the ring along with former President Donald Trump. Some early polling in the state has shown DeSantis leading Trump in a head to head match up so this will make for a competitive race in Alabama. Yet, there will be a number of candidates who join the primary battle to be the eventual nominee at the GOP Convention in the summer of 2024.
There will be others to follow soon enough who will be looking for Republican voters in Alabama as well. Do not be surprised to see a lot of speaking engagements by those seeking the White House to make a stop in Alabama as they traverse the country. Alabama was an important visit for Donald Trump on his way to being the GOP nominee in 2016 when he packed Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile. Thus, the state has proven to be a must stop on the campaign trail for those who want to be the Nation’s top executive.
So get ready for the marathon to start here in Alabama for the next presidential election in the coming weeks.
Paul DeMarco is a former member of the Alabama House of Representatives and can be found on Twitter at @Paul_DeMarco