Alabama GOP Removes Powell From Senate Primary For 2018 Donation To Tuscaloosa Mayor

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Patch has confirmed that Alabama Republican Party officials formally voted Saturday to remove Senate District 21 candidate Tripp Powell's name from the ballot in the upcoming primary on May 24, after a complaint was filed against the Tuscaloosa businessman for donating to the campaign of Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox

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Multiple sources within the party informed Patch that the state GOP's Candidate Committee handed down the decision after a ballot challenge was filed during its meeting Saturday in Birmingham.

"I deeply regret the action of the Party," Powell said in a statement to Patch. "I feel their actions were unjust and illogical."

The donation in question was made in the 2018 Democratic Primary, in the amount of $500 to Maddox before his eventual loss to current Republican Gov. Kay Ivey.

Powell has the opportunity to appeal the decision in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court, but it's unclear if he will and important to note that political parties in Alabama control who will appear on the ballot in party primaries, which could make Powell's battle for a party nod that much more difficult.

Powell, 41, was set to face off in the Republican Primary against incumbent Sen. Gerald Allen, who has served in the Senate since 2010 and in the legislature since 1994.

The winner of the GOP primary will face Democratic challenger Lisa Ward, of Lake View, in the November General Election.

This is a developing story. Tuscaloosa Patch will have more information as it comes available.