Birmingham-Area Republicans Gather for Trump Reelection Watch Party
A few dozen Birmingham-area Republicans ate ribs and pulled pork sandwiches at Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q in Homewood as they watched President Trump launch his 2020 reelection campaign. Trump spoke at a rally in Orlando for more than an hour, touting his accomplishments on issues ranging from immigration to the economy.
Several at the watch party say they plan to support the president regardless of which other Republican candidates challenge him in the primary. Springville’s Terri Lapoint is among them. She says she doesn’t need to wait and consider other contenders.”No, I’m a Trump girl. I really, I’m committed to supporting him.”
Lapoint says Trump wasn’t her first choice in 2016. She supported Republican Sen. Ted Cruz. But over the last few years, she says, Trump won her over. “What I’ve seen since then, I really do like.” She says he’s fulfilled his early campaign promises. She particularly liked it when the president during his speech attacked Democrats as being “socialists” for supporting left-leaning policies on issues ranging from health care to immigration.
Deanna Frankowski of Leeds came dressed in a “Make America Great Again t-shirt. When Trump told the audience his new campaign slogan would be “Keep America Great,” she lamented having to buy a new shirt. Frankowski says she’s been pleased with Trump’s record as president. “I think that he was on point. He went back over everything that he’s done and pled his case to be president again,” she says. Frankowski supported Trump early on in 2016. She says the other candidates then were part of the Washington establishment and hadn’t accomplished much. “That’s why I voted for him, because I was tired of all the mouthing and the talking and the not-getting-anything done,” she says. “I said I was ready to give him a chance and he’s done fantastic.”
Those at the watch party cheered for Trump through much of his speech, including his criticism of Hillary Clinton, his Democratic opponent in 2016, and his attacks on this election’s Democratic challengers. They also booed local media when Trump egged on his supporters in Orlando to do the same. A few Alabama lawmakers were in attendance, including Sen. Dan Roberts and Rep. Matt Fridy. Last night’s gathering was organized by the Alabama GOP, along with the Jefferson and Shelby county Republican parties. The watch party was one of several around the state.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include the name of the restaurant.
Local health officials plan to increase monkeypox vaccinations
Health officials will soon begin offering intradermal vaccinations, reaching more people with less vaccine.
Combating gun violence remains a top focus of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As violent crime in Birmingham and the surrounding area continues to increase, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, Prim Escalona, uses a variety of tools and strategies to get firearms and bad guys off the street.
Some 3rd graders in local schools could be held back under new law
This is the first school year that third graders who do not read at grade level by the end of the school year must be held back in that grade, rather than passed on to fourth grade. The Alabama Literacy Act was passed several years ago, but its implementation was delayed because of the pandemic.
How one Birmingham custodian preps for the first day of school
When the kids are away, the custodial and maintenance staff in schools work all summer long. One custodian told WBHM about what it takes to keep the kids happy and healthy as they trade sunshine for fluorescent lights.
Dollar store workers are organizing for a better workplace. Just don’t call it a union.
Fired up by a labor movement that’s seen big union victories recently, dollar store workers are organizing in their own way to improve work conditions.
Bill Clark has a knack for making comebacks. Will he make one more?
Bill Clark has had to overcome some serious hurdles during his career at UAB, as well as in his personal life. He not only resurrected a football program that had been neglected—and then out-right killed—he’s also been fighting through what he’s called a serious injury since childhood.
