Alabama’s Democratic Party is doomed from the start: Comment

This is a guest commentary column

Is it possible to resurrect something from the dead? If you are Jesus, anything is possible. For a human, there is no chance.

Why do I ask this question? Because the Alabama Democratic Party in its current form is dead and beyond redemption. The more headlines and opinions that emerge about the ADP continuing to embarrass itself on a national level, the clearer my conclusion becomes.

How do I know? Because I have been directly and indirectly involved in the foolishness of the past six years. From the rigged re-election of the late Chair Nancy Worley in 2018 to the recent bylaw changes that disbanded the Disability Caucus in 2024, I continue to see the ADP leadership wreak havoc and trash the House to the point that no one wants to be bothered anymore. People don’t want anything to do with them.

From cutting off donations to not showing up at State Democratic Executive Committee meetings, my worst fears from six years ago continue to manifest themselves. I can’t blame Alabama Democrats for walking away. The ADP has created a powder keg just waiting to explode itself. The more the ADP appears in the headlines when it comes to who gets to select delegates to the Democratic National Convention, and the more the ADP is in the headlines when it comes to destroying the charter that can unite the party, the closer that barrel comes to exploding with unprecedented destruction. I tried to warn everyone I could, but no one listens. I guess I’m not important enough, popular enough, or of important status. But you can’t deny that my words of warning have come true in a worse way. If you don’t, you’re either in denial or you’re a Republican through and through. There’s no way to be on both sides of the fence here. You’re either one or the other. Or maybe you’re the exception and don’t know what to do. For that, I’ll let you pass.

ADP Chairman Randall Kelly’s latest complaint is an understatement. It’s part of a list of operational incompetence that continues to paint the state Democratic Party in a bad light. It’s the latest foolishness to accuse the DNC of depriving blacks of representation. Kelly even threatened to bring a second group of people to the convention to challenge the delegates selected by Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. Why? Because Kelly couldn’t bring the people to the convention he wanted? Breaking news: Two-thirds of the convention delegates are African American, just as 70 percent of the ADP’s membership is African American.

Do you want the ADP to be all African American? As a black man, I don’t support that because the Democratic Party has always been a party of inclusion and diversity. If you take that away in Alabama, you have a moderate Alabama Republican Party 2.0. Is that what you want? Make it understandable because the math is not logical.

Standing next to Kelly is Joe Reed, Vice Chair for Minority Affairs, who insists on handpicking his supporters for key positions and controlling ADP’s operations through the even more incompetent Alabama Democratic Conference. Both Reed and Kelly were instrumental in changing the charter twice, in 2019 (failed) and 2024 (succeeded), to stay in power and keep his opponents from serving and having a voice. I even sat in a nine-hour virtual meeting with the Democratic National Committee to fight to restore the 2019 charter and keep my rightful seat on the State Democratic Executive Committee, but Reed and Kelly stole the show, prevailed, and undermined everything Alabama Democrats had worked so hard for. Instead, ADP has a new charter with no transparency, accountability, or a Disability Caucus. After all, people with disabilities are not important to Democrats or Republicans. Especially in Alabama, where one side is ignoring us and the other side is saying we should die. You want my money, you want me to help you fight the DNC so you (Reed and Kelly) can elect delegates to the convention who are loyal to you, and you want me to follow you like sheep without thinking or asking questions. I say to you both: Go to hell and take your supporters and whatever is left of the ADP with you!!

I’ve had enough! No one is willing to fight for me, my disabled comrades, and the diversity that makes the Democratic Party great. It’s time for a change for Democrats in Alabama. We can’t elect good leaders because we have incompetent leadership in the ADP that is constantly fighting to stay in power. Let’s face it. The Democratic Party in Alabama is dead. It cannot be fixed in its current form. The ADP needs to be dismantled and rebuilt. We need a clearance sale. Everything has to go. If not, we will continue to see headlines about Reed and Kelly making problems out of nowhere. I’ve had several panic attacks over the last six years because of these antics. Why can’t they just go away? If you don’t fight or say something, you are part of the problem.

I have been silent about this for far too long. I have even been stopped from writing this letter because I am too angry. I am not sorry to say that I am angry and it is time for me to break the silence. It is time for Democrats in Alabama to learn the truth about the ADP and who is behind its destruction. After all, what you don’t know will hurt you.

The Alabama Democratic Party is dead. It was dead when it arrived. Call your loved ones and make funeral arrangements. It’s time to say goodbye to incompetent leadership, the 2024 bylaw, and the people holding us back. But it would be a disservice if I didn’t express my gratitude to the state’s Democratic county parties. You were the glue that held Alabama Democrats together. Now let me present you with your flowers. I hope you will continue to unite Democrats to take back the state and elect people with integrity, transparency, and accountability.

The time for talking is over! It’s time to act!!

Keith Williams is co-founder Voter Justice Watchdog Groupwhich describes itself as a non-partisan, non-profit advocacy group that works to advance people’s interests through engagement, education, investigation, and advocacy. The views expressed are those of Williams, not the group.