Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign has tapped Terry Lathan to serve as its Alabama Chair. Lathan is the former Chair of the Alabama Republican Party and she serves as the RNC Convention Permanent Deputy Co-Chair.
Lathan offered a lengthy statement following her appointment, noting that “as the longest serving chairman of the Alabama Republican party since 1985, with decades of grassroots experience, I am proud to endorse Governor Ron DeSantis for our party’s nomination for President of the United States.”
“Through his solid, focused leadership, he has strongly delivered for the people of Florida,” she continued. “Governor DeSantis epitomizes rock solid conservative principles in his actions while fighting insane liberal policies in a statesmanlike manner.”
Her letter went on to describe Florida’s Governor as “exactly who America needs at this important political crossroad in our nation.” Lathan also notes that she believes he can win in November.
“While we have several gifted and talented candidates, Ron DeSantis is a time-tested warrior who has implemented conservative policy and understands the importance of our military needs,” she wrote. “Ron served our nation honorably earning the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Service and the Iraq Campaign Medal in the U.S. Navy as a JAG officer.”
Lathan goes on to describe DeSantis as “levelheaded.”
DeSantis has consistently polled second among contenders for the GOP presidential nomination, but is still well-behind former President Donald Trump.
There hasn’t been much in the way of polling in Alabama for the GOP Primary, but in February a Public Opinion Strategies poll conducted for Alabama Families for Great Schools found DeSantis with 53% support in a head-to-head against Trump. That’s in stark contrast to national polls and polls in other states, which have been putting Trump near or above 50% support in the GOP field.
Lathan previously co-chaired Mo Brooks’ Senate campaign last year. She touted DeSantis last year during that campaign after Trump withdrew his endorsement for Brooks in favor of Katie Britt, who eventually defeated Brooks in the GOP runoff.
