FROM STAFF REPORTS

ALABASTER – Paul Reynolds of Shelby County was re-elected Feb. 25 as Alabama’s national committeeman, and will serve a second term representing Alabama on the Republican National Committee.

Among the agenda items for the RNC’s bi-annual meeting in Alabaster were the elections for national committeeman and national committeewoman and, along with Reynolds, Vickie Drummond of Jasper was elected to replace outgoing national committeewoman, Bettye Fine Collins.

Reynolds owns Shelby County businesses such as the WHPH FM 97.7 “The Peach” radio station. A longtime figure familiar to Republicans across the state, Reynolds moved his business operations and his residence from Greenville to Shelby County in recent years. His nomination was made by Elbert Peters, a past chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, with a second by Shelby County Republican Party Chairman Freddy Ard. Supporting remarks were presented by Susan McConnell, wife of past Alabama GOP Chairman Roger McConnell, along with Sally Bryant, current secretary of  the Alabama Republican Party.

Endorsed by a substantial number of other RNC committeemen and committeewomen from around the country, Reynolds won re-election over challenger Clay Barclay of Mobile. Reynolds also developed the RNC’s “Kitchen Table Project,” a funding mechanism intended to allow middle-class families to contribute directly to the effort to elect the Republican nominee for president. The effort is currently in its trial phase, with Shelby County among a number of test counties.

“While I am certainly pleased for Alabama to be represented by my dear friend Paul Reynolds, I am particularly proud that our national committeeman lives right here in Shelby County,” Ard said. “Paul is an energetic, effective and passionate representative, with extraordinary credibility throughout the RNC.

“Once again, Shelby County Republicans demonstrate our county’s significance when the Alabama Republican Executive Committee meets,” Ard added.

Former state Sen. Bill Armistead, who currently is chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, presided over the meeting, and Matt Fridy, a former Shelby County GOP chairman, serves on the Steering Committee as District 6 chairman.

Shelby County is recognized as the most Republican county in Alabama, with all 36 county offices with jurisdiction held by Republicans. Shelby County is also ranked as the fourth-most conservative county in America.