Alabama GOP Leader Criticized for Comments

Scott Stadthagen sparked controversy after referring to transgender candidates as men with mental disorders.

Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Sex Crimes

Alabama GOP Leader Criticized for Comments

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Alabama Republican Party Chairman Scott Stadthagen drew backlash for calling two transgender Democratic House candidates men with mental disorders during a meeting. The candidates, Terri Osborne and Allison Montgomery, criticized GOP leadership for focusing on their gender identities rather than policy issues.

Why it matters

The remarks have intensified the political debate over transgender identity and the role of party leaders in Alabama's discourse. The American Psychiatric Association clarifies that being transgender is not a psychiatric diagnosis.

District Judge Eric Coale reduced the charge against Rep. Brett Easterbrook to attempted first-degree human trafficking on Oct. 5 following an undercover arrest in Escambia County. Easterbrook was initially booked on a Class A felony charge.

The players

Scott Stadthagen

He is the Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party who spoke at the Eastern Shore Republican Women meeting.

Terri Osborne

She is the Democratic candidate for House District 96 in Baldwin County.

Allison Montgomery

She is the Democratic nominee for House District 25 in the Huntsville and Madison area.

Brett Easterbrook

He is a state representative who was arrested during an undercover operation in Escambia County.

Eric Coale

He is a District Judge who presided over the legal proceedings for Brett Easterbrook.

The details

Scott Stadthagen made his comments while addressing the Eastern Shore Republican Women in Fairhope. The controversy involves candidates Terri Osborne for House District 96 and Allison Montgomery for House District 25.

Oct. 5, 2026: Judge Eric Coale reduced the charges against Rep. Brett Easterbrook.
Oct. 8, 2026: Scott Stadthagen delivered remarks at an Eastern Shore Republican Women meeting in Fairhope.

Legal Context

The rhetoric aligns with a broader trend of political debates centering on gender identity within Alabama state politics. These comments stand in contrast to established medical definitions provided by the American Psychiatric Association regarding transgender identity.

The ongoing legal case involving Rep. Brett Easterbrook and the focus on political candidates may influence upcoming voter sentiment in districts 25 and 96. Residents are observing how local party leadership and legal authorities manage these high-profile developments.

The takeaway

Voters in Alabama are grappling with a political landscape shaped by both criminal legal proceedings and heated rhetoric regarding candidate identities. This environment underscores the ongoing divide in political discourse regarding social issues and legislative conduct.