The curious saga of Lynda Blanchard’s foray into electoral politics will transition from a bid for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat up in 2022 to one against incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey.
Sources familiar with Blanchard’s efforts tell Yellowhammer News the former U.S. ambassador to Slovenia will formally announce her intentions at an event at the Jeanette Barrett Civic Room in Wetumpka on Tuesday morning.
Some media outlets have already reported the move was a done deal, but the Blanchard campaign had given no formal indication.
Sources also tell Yellowhammer News veteran Florida political organizer Susie Wiles, who reportedly has close ties to former President Donald Trump, will play a role in Blanchard’s effort.
Earlier this year, when rumors of a Blanchard gubernatorial run first came about, Blanchard indicated she would do what she needed to “support the president and support the Republican Party.”
“You know, I can tell you that I’ve been all over this state,” she said. “And there are a lot of people that, you know, like we saw this weekend, want everything Trump. And they want a Trump governor, as well. So, I do have people reaching out to me. I’m praying about it, and you know, I’m in the race for U.S. Senate, and love the president and respect anything that he would like.”
“Any way that I can support the president and support the Republican Party, I’m willing to do,” Blanchard added. “So, I’m praying about everything.”
Blanchard will join Greenville businessman Tim James, State Auditor Jim Zeigler and Opelika pastor Dean Odle in the field of potential gubernatorial challengers to Ivey upon her formal announcement.
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.
