By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Republican House District 7 candidate Dr. Angelo “Doc” Mancuso says efforts are being made within the Alabama Republican Party to remove him from the GOP primary ballot ahead of the May election.
Mancuso, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Ernie Yarbrough in the Republican primary, said he is urging the Alabama Republican Executive Committee to reject what he described as an attempt by political insiders aligned with his opponent to disqualify him from the race. According to Mancuso, the challenge centers on his past service as a Democrat more than a decade ago, before later aligning with the Republican Party.
“This isn’t about party loyalty, it’s about voter choice,” Mancuso said in a statement. “Trying to eliminate a candidate behind closed doors denies voters their voice.”
Mancuso previously served in the Alabama House from 1998 to 2002, a period before the Republican Party’s current supermajority control of state government. He has pointed to his past legislative work in education, including efforts to increase teacher pay and support industry and infrastructure investment in the district. He has also cited involvement in securing funding for hospice services, senior centers, libraries, scholarships, road projects, and technology upgrades in schools.
In the current race, Mancuso, a dermatologic surgeon, has framed his campaign around what he calls experienced conservative leadership. His priorities include improving roads, expanding health care access, strengthening schools, and attracting jobs to District 7.
“What matters is where you stand now,” Mancuso said. “I believe the people of District 7 deserve the right to decide their nominee at the ballot box.”
The Alabama Republican Executive Committee is expected to consider the issue on Sunday, February 15. Mancuso warned that removing him from the ballot would leave voters without a contested Republican primary.
Yarbrough, who is seeking reelection, has highlighted his conservative record and local initiatives, including school grants, support for volunteer fire departments, and service projects for residents in need.
House District 7 includes Moulton, Hatton, Courtland, Leighton, and portions of Morgan County. The Republican primary is scheduled for May 19, and no Democratic candidates filed for the seat.