Eclectic native Kenneth Paschal surprised a lot of voters in 2021 when he was the first Black Republican elected to the Alabama Legislature since the Reconstruction Era.
Now a Pelham resident, Paschal is helping the Alabama Republican Party reach more voters through its Outreach Coalition. Paschal told members of the Elmore County Republican Party there are plenty of voters within reach of the party, and state party chair John Wahl tasked Paschal with reaching them.
At a recent meet and greet, attendees got a chance to meet local officials and representatives including Paschal.
“At the state and national level, our mission is to go to the Democratic communities and convert them,” Paschal said. “We have always done that, but how is that working out?”
Paschal intends to reach out in those communities, but first wants Republicans to find those among them who share similar values of “God and country,” who vote in Republican primaries or are not politically active.
“Let’s go in our own backyard and find the people who look like me, Asians, Hispanics and the young generation,” Paschal said. “We want to reach out to those who are already voting (with) our values.”
Names of voters are readily available through voter lists, and Paschal’s goal is to reach voters in the last three Republican primaries, then two of the last three followed by just one of the last three.
“We just want to invite them to a local meet and greet,” Paschal said. “We have found they vote Republican but have never been invited. We want them to have a chance to plug in, especially locally.”
The state party already has diverse groups such as Alabama Minority GOP, College Republican Federation of Alabama, Alabama Federation of Republican Women and the Young Republican Federation of Alabama. Those voters Paschal hopes to reach might also be interested in such groups.
As a Black Republican, Paschal has faced challenges but he said his journey also accomplishes part of the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“‘I look to the day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the contents of their character,’” Paschal said, quoting King. He went on to say, “I’m honored to serve in the Republican Party. I’m living proof we are open to all.”
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