Etowah County Republicans Gather for Annual Reagan-Martin Dinner in Gadsden
GADSDEN, Ala. — The Etowah County Republican Party celebrated another successful year of growth and fellowship Monday evening during its annual Reagan-Martin Dinner, held at The Venue at Coosa Landing in Gadsden. The well-attended event drew a full house of party members, elected officials, candidates, and supporters, reflecting both the expansion of the local party and its increasing enthusiasm across Etowah County and beyond.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Misty Sosebee-Ledbetter, Chair of the Etowah County Republican Party. She recognized the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard, who presented the colors, followed by State Representative Craig Lipscomb, who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Music was provided by Kevin Moore, who provided music for the evening, played a heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem.
State Representative Mark Gidley then addressed the gathering, offering words of encouragement and leading a heartfelt prayer for the party, the community, the nation, and all veterans.
The evening’s program continued with remarks from State Senator Andrew Jones, who chairs the Alabama Senate Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Safety. Jones spoke passionately about Alabama’s status as one of the most veteran-friendly states in the country and one of the top two states for veterans to retire in. He updated attendees on recent legislative developments and new initiatives to enhance veterans’ services, including the establishment of a new central Veterans Center.
Jones thanked Alabama’s veterans for their service and reaffirmed his commitment, along with his colleagues in Montgomery, to continue working to improve the lives of veterans across the state.
Etowah County GOP Vice Chair Davis Varner then took the stage to recognize all elected officials in attendance, as well as those who had previously served and those currently campaigning for public office. The room responded with enthusiastic applause for the many familiar faces who serve their communities through government leadership.
A particularly touching moment came when Chair Misty Sosebee-Ledbetter led a special recognition for Mrs. Marian Ford, honoring her years of dedication and tireless service to the Republican Party. Ford was presented with a beautiful flower arrangement as a token of appreciation, drawing warm applause from the audience.
Heather Copeland, representing the Etowah County Republican Women, led a moving in memoriam tribute to the late Charlie Kirk, reflecting on the youth movement he inspired and his lasting commitment to patriotism and conservative values. Copeland’s remarks highlighted how Kirk’s work continues to energize college students and young conservatives nationwide. She introduced Katie Prater, the president of the new turning Point USA chapter on the campus of Gadsden State.
Another highlight of the evening was the recognition of former State Senator, Army Ranger, radio personality, and attorney Phil Williams. State Representative Mack Butler and Circuit Judge George Clay jointly honored Williams for his years of service to the party and congratulated him on his recent nomination by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.
Williams, who has recently gained national attention for his appearances on major television news programs, addressed the audience with gratitude and humility, thanking those in attendance for their continued support and sharing how honored he felt to be nominated for such a vital role.
Amy Minton, Vice Chair of Membership for the Etowah County Republican Party and a candidate for the Alabama Senate, next introduced John Wahl, Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party. Minton described Wahl, who is also a butterfly farmer by trade, as one of the hardest working people in the party.
Wahl entertained and energized the crowd with a dynamic address, emphasizing the continued growth of minority voters within the Alabama Republican Party. He announced that, for the first time in state history, four minority-majority districts had elected Republican probate judges, a milestone he described as evidence of the party’s broadening appeal and commitment to inclusion. Wahl encouraged attendees to stand for truth, support good policy, and stay mindful of the political and cultural challenges facing the nation.
Chair Misty Sosebee-Ledbetter then introduced the evening’s keynote speaker. Senator Tommy Tuberville, originally scheduled to deliver the keynote address, was unable to attend due to urgent developments in Washington, D.C., related to pending legislation to end the federal government shutdown. In his place, U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, graciously stepped in to headline the event.
Rogers began by providing an update on the shutdown vote, noting that the Senate was expected to move quickly on the legislation and that he would return to Washington early Tuesday morning to prepare for a House vote as soon as Wednesday.
He praised the impressive turnout at the event, noting the growing enthusiasm for Republican leadership in Etowah County and surrounding areas. Rogers reflected on his political roots, crediting President Ronald Reagan with shaping his conservative values and lifelong belief in American strength and leadership.
He thanked local elected officials for their service, acknowledging that public leadership often requires standing firm in the face of criticism. Rogers commended Etowah County and its municipalities for their ability to work together, describing the region as a model of cooperation and civic engagement.
The congressman also discussed his pivotal role in ensuring that U.S. Space Command was located in Alabama. He detailed the political challenges and extensive review process involved, noting that Alabama was objectively selected as the most logical and beneficial location for the command—not once, but twice—through a nonpartisan selection process that bested competing states like Colorado and Florida.
Rogers described the economic potential the relocation brings to Alabama and encouraged local leaders to position themselves to benefit from the growing network of support industries that will accompany Space Command’s presence. He shared insights from his conversations with President Donald Trump and others who helped secure the move, outlining the complex and often arduous journey that led to Space Command finding its permanent home in Alabama.
Turning to national defense, Rogers spoke about the evolving nature of warfare and the importance of the Space Force in protecting the United States from modern missile and satellite-based threats. He explained the development of the “Golden Dome,” a defense initiative aimed at shielding the nation from advanced missile systems, and described how space has become a critical battleground in modern security.
Rogers emphasized his belief in peace through strength, citing Ronald Reagan’s defense policies as the model for ending the Cold War without direct conflict. He urged the United States to return to that philosophy, advocating for defense spending equal to five percent of the nation’s GDP—a level he believes would serve as a powerful deterrent to adversaries like China and Russia.
He spoke about how America’s enemies recognize moments of weakness and argued that strong defense investments are essential to maintaining peace and security. He also noted that concerns about national debt would pale in comparison to the consequences of an unprepared America facing an attack. Rogers reiterated his belief that China seeks to become a dominant military superpower and that the United States must align its defense budget with that reality.
The congressman’s remarks were met with enthusiastic applause and appreciation from the audience, who left the event feeling encouraged, motivated, and proud of their party’s continued momentum. The evening was closed out with a tradition following closing remarks by Sosebee-Ledbetter as Etowah County Judge Joe Nabors led the crowd in singing God Bless America.
As the evening concluded, the atmosphere was one of optimism, unity, and purpose—a testament to the strength and growth of the Republican Party in Etowah County. Guests departed The Venue at Coosa Landing inspired by a shared message of faith, patriotism, and determination to continue working toward a stronger Alabama and a stronger America.
