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Becky Gerritson speaks outside Sinclair's restaurant in Montgomery about her candidacy for the Republican nomination in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District on Oct. 1, 2015.
(Mike Cason/mcason@al.com)
Wetumpka Tea Party co-founder Becky Gerritson, who is challenging U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, in the Republican primary in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District, was endorsed this week by Rick Barber, Roby's Republican rival in 2010.
"I am very proud to have earned the support of Rick Barber. In 2010, he ran a great campaign that generated tremendous support from the grassroots, and he inspired many who were just waking up to what was really happening in our country," Gerritson said in a statement. "I look forward to making him and his supporters proud by crossing the finish line victorious in this race."
Roby beat Barber, who was backed by the tea party, in the 2010 Republican primary before unseating incumbent Democrat Bobby Bright. Barber, who endorsed Roby in the general election, is perhaps best well known for his "gather your armies" campaign commercial that featured the founding fathers and went viral.
Barber said Gerritson is a "true principled conservative" and a "better option than Martha Roby" in a statement from the Gerritson campaign.
"In 2010, I rallied beside Martha Roby and asked those of you that supported me to help in ensuring Bobby Bright's defeat," Barber said. "However, since being elected we have seen everything but Conservatism from Martha. Almost six years later, her voting record is more liberal than her Democratic predecessor as she has consistently sided with the GOP leadership who have accomplished nothing but allowing Obama's agenda to continue.
A Roby spokesman downplayed the significance of Barber's support, pointing out that the congresswoman was just endorsed by 36 mayors in the district.
"Endorsements are great, but I'd rather have the support of three dozen mayors from throughout the district than the guy who lost to Rep. Roby five years ago and doesn't live here anymore," Roby campaign spokesman Todd Stacy said in an email.