John Wahl

John Wahl
Chair of the Alabama Republican Party
In office
February 27, 2021 – January 23, 2026
Preceded byTerry Lathan
Succeeded byJoan Reynolds
Personal details
BornNehemiah Wahl
(1986-07-30) July 30, 1986
Athens, Alabama, U.S.
PartyRepublican

John Wahl (born Nehemiah Wahl, July 30, 1986)[1][2][3] is an American political strategist and butterfly breeder who served as chair of the Alabama Republican Party from 2021 to 2026. In January 2023, he was elected as a vice chair of the Republican National Committee, representing the RNC's southern region. Wahl was the youngest Republican state party chair in the United States during his tenure.[2] In 2024, he was also elected chair of the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) by his fellow board members.[4] Wahl is a candidate in the Republican primary for the 2026 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election.

Early life and career

Wahl was born in Athens, Alabama;[5] his legal name is Nehemiah Wahl, though he has gone by the given name John in his career.[6] He is the brother of Noah Wahl, a fellow political strategist and the current chair of the Limestone County Republican Party. As a teenager, Wahl was a door-to-door campaigner for the Republican Party. Wahl was later a part of WT&S Consulting, a political consulting and polling firm associated with the Alabama Republican Party.[7] He was also the chair of Stop the Small Business Tax PAC, a political action committee that defeated a local property tax increase in Athens.[8][9]

By trade, Wahl is a butterfly farmer and operates a farm in western Limestone County, a business he started when he was still in high school. Butterflies bred on Wahl's farm have supplied various zoos, botanical gardens, and exhibits across the country with over 40,000 butterflies annually.[10] Wahl has also served on the board of the International Butterfly Breeders Association.[1] Wahl's farm has been featured by various media outlets seeking to cover the niche industry of butterfly farming, including Mental Floss,[11] Simply Southern TV, and Smarter Every Day.[12] Wahl describes the industry as one of the "most beautiful" job opportunities, which he contrasts with his work in politics.[1]

Politics and Alabama Republican Party

Wahl held senior roles in multiple state and local campaigns before becoming actively involved with the Alabama Republican Party.[7] In the 2012 election cycle, Wahl was selected to serve as field director for the Alabama Republican Party. Two years later, he was elected to the party's State Executive Committee. Following the 2016 election cycle, Wahl was chosen as the vice chairman for the Alabama Republican Party's division for the 5th congressional district. In 2019, Wahl was elected as senior vice chairman of the party at the executive committee's winter meeting.[5] He defeated Bill Harris from Autauga County for the seat.[13]

During the 2020 United States presidential election, Wahl was one of Alabama's nine Electoral College representatives supporting President Donald J. Trump. He also played a senior role on Tommy Tuberville's successful campaign for U.S. Senate, and later served on Senator Tuberville's transition team in Washington, D.C.[14] When Terry Lathan announced that she would not seek another term as chair of the Alabama Republican Party, Wahl ran and won the Chairmanship to replace her on February 27, 2021.[5] Wahl said that, as party chair, he would focus on tax relief, secure borders and winning elections, as well as a strong military for his main agenda points.[1][15][16]

During his first term as party chair, Wahl oversaw the Alabama Republican Party's launching of a new minority outreach team,[17] as well as the "Operation Restore America" campaign, a group of volunteers assembled to assist with national and other out-of-state elections in 2021 and 2022, including the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election, which was won by Republican Glenn Youngkin.[18][19] Wahl also managed the Republican Party's involvement in the 2022 Alabama elections, including a debate over congressional redistricting for the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama. The conflict eventually led to a Supreme Court case, Allen v. Milligan, in which Republicans were initially granted a stay for 2022, but the district map was overturned in 2023.[20][21][22][23] Wahl was also an advocate for closed primaries[24] (which the party approved in August 2022),[25] school choice, and adoption reform in Alabama.[26] By 2023, Wahl had helped raise over $2.8 million for the Alabama Republican Party.[27]

In fall 2022, the opinion column of journalist Kyle Whitmire published a series of stories reporting on Wahl's Anabaptist extended family members, who objected to voter ID on religious grounds, including calling facial recognition programs "the mark of the beast". Wahl had supported voter ID laws in his position as chair of the Alabama Republican Party.[28]

In January 2023, Wahl was selected as a vice chair for the Republican National Committee, leading its southern division.[29] Wahl said that he was looking forward to working on a "fresh vision" for the Republican Party in the 2024 election cycle.[30] At the Alabama Republican Party's 2023 winter meeting, he was re-elected as chair for another two-year term. Wahl faced no opposition and was elected by acclamation.[31][27] In September 2023, Wahl was profiled in a series of NPR articles highlighting the youngest Republican State Chairman (Wahl himself) and the youngest Democratic State Chair (Anderson Clayton of North Carolina). Wahl said that his goals for the future of the Alabama Republican Party would include attracting Black voters from Alabama's Black Belt region, as well as younger voters.[2]

In March 2025, Wahl was again re-elected as Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party for a third term.[32]

In April 2025, AL.com reported that Wahl was a potential candidate for the 2026 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election, according to Steve Flowers.[33] Wahl confirmed to 1819 News that he was exploring a campaign for lieutenant governor in May 2025,[34] and 256 Today reported that he was still considering it as of November 2025.[35] Despite Wahl never formally announcing a campaign between then and January 2026, president Donald Trump endorsed Wahl as a possible candidate for lieutenant governor through a Truth Social post on January 22, 2026, shortly before candidate qualifying closed the next day.[36] Wahl filed in the final moments of qualifying, joining a crowded field that included seven other Republican hopefuls.[37] Wahl's entry into the race necessitated his resignation as chair of the Alabama Republican Party, which he tendered the same day. Wahl was succeeded by Joan Reynolds.[38]

In January 2026, Wahl was endorsed by Trump, with President Trump calling Wahl a "true MAGA warrior" and saying that "John has been with us from the very beginning." He ended his Truth Social post by saying, "RUN, JOHN, RUN!"[39]

Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) Board

In 2022, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey appointed John Wahl to the Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) Board.[40] He was later elected chairman of the board during its September 2024 meeting.[4] Wahl has faced criticism from activist groups for advocating the relocation of books alleged to contain sexually explicit material from children's and youth sections of public libraries.[41]Wahl the Alabama Republican Party Chairman, and a supporter of the state's voter ID law, used a non-valid ID to vote in at least two recent elections.

Use of name John Wahl for official purposes

Wahl, who has used "John Wahl" on official forms in Alabama, was contemporaneously identified as "Nehemiah Ezekiel Wahl" on his Tennessee-issued drivers license. Wahl has not used his Nehemiah legal name on a number of Alabama official documents, including ethics disclosures, despite instructions to use his full legal name.[42][43]

Wahl was registered to vote in two states at the same time, as "Nehemiah Wahl" in Tennesee and "John Wahl" in Alabama. There is no record that he voted in Tennessee. In order to vote in Alabama, which required that he present ID and use his legal name, he presented a state employee ID card identifying John Wahl as a "regional press secretary" of the Auditor's office. He was not employed by the state. The bespoke ID card was challenged. The state Auditor later claimed the card had been made with his permission.[42][43][44]

A poll worker who accepted Wahl's ID during the 2020 election signaled ahead of the 2022 election that he would not accept it. He was fired as a poll worker and Wahl voted again in 2022. The Alabama Secretary of State office said the ID, with which Wahl had voted twice, was not a valid form of voter ID.[45]

Wahl's use of a non-standard ID for voting has become an issue in his 2026 GOP primary campaign, where his opponent is a state official who championed strict voter ID requirements.[44]

Personal life

Wahl resides in Limestone County, Alabama, where his butterfly farm is located.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Cason, Mike (January 26, 2021). "Butterfly farmer John Wahl running for chairman of Alabama Republican Party". AL.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Bustillo, Ximena; Moore, Elena (September 7, 2023). "This butterfly farmer wants to strengthen the Republican Party's hold on Alabama". NPR. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  3. ^ @ALGOP (July 30, 2024). "Wishing a very happy birthday to our Chairman and Alabama's premier leptozoologist, @chairmanwahl! 🇺🇸🦋" (Tweet). Retrieved February 1, 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  4. ^ a b Yaffee (2024-09-20). "John Wahl elected as Alabama Public Library Service chairman, vows to protect children and promote reading". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  5. ^ a b c Moseley, Brandon (March 1, 2021). "John Wahl elected as chairman of the Alabama Republican Party". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  6. ^ Sell, Mary (January 29, 2026). "Wahl says campaign for lieutenant governor has raised $1M; records show $517K in major contributions so far". Alabama Daily News. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c Bunch, Riley; Henderson, Amy (February 25, 2021). "Pivotal role: Wahl seeking helm of state GOP post-Trump". The Cullman Times. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  8. ^ Moseley, Brandon (August 17, 2015). "Athens is Next Battleground over Taxes". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  9. ^ "Voters in Athens rejected a property tax increase in a special election". www.waff.com. 2015-08-26. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  10. ^ Belanger, Evan (May 22, 2016). "The business of butterflies: Limestone County home to rare branch of farming". Decatur Daily. Retrieved January 29, 2023.
  11. ^ Higgins, Chris (July 3, 2013). "Inside a Butterfly Farm". Mental Floss. Archived from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  12. ^ SmarterEveryDay (2013-06-30). Butterfly Farming IS AMAZING - (Full Life Cycle) - Smarter Every Day 96. Retrieved 2025-09-14 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Ross, Sean (February 23, 2019). "Alabama Republican Party elects officers". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  14. ^ Riales, Bill (March 1, 2021). "John Wahl elected to replace Terry Lathan as chairman of Alabama Republican Party". WKRG-TV. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  15. ^ Cason, Mike (February 27, 2021). "Alabama Republican Party elects butterfly farmer state chairman". AL.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  16. ^ "Wahl elected chairman of Alabama Republican Party". Associated Press. March 1, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  17. ^ Moseley, Brandon (October 21, 2021). "Alabama Republican Party will launch new minority outreach team". 1819 News. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  18. ^ Moseley, Brandon (November 3, 2021). "Virginia's gubernatorial race was first victory for Alabama GOP's Restore America plan". 1819 News. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  19. ^ Moseley, Brandon (November 6, 2021). "ALGOP Chairman says Republican wins in Virginia are wins for all Republicans". 1819 News. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  20. ^ Taylor, Caleb (June 8, 2023). "ALGOP 'disappointed' in SCOTUS redistricting ruling; Wahl vows to 'work hard to win all seven congressional seats'". 1819 News. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  21. ^ Moseley, Brandon (February 1, 2022). "Alabama Republican Party files motion in support of state's position in redistricting case". 1819 News. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  22. ^ Cason, Mike (February 7, 2022). "U.S. Supreme Court grants Alabama's request to block order for new congressional districts". The Anniston Star. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  23. ^ Sherman, Mark; Gresko, Jessica (February 7, 2022). "Supreme Court sides with GOP in Alabama election map case". Associated Press. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  24. ^ Poor, Jeff (July 7, 2022). "ALGOP chair Wahl calls for closed primaries, county voter mapping software requirements in wake of controversial primary season". 1819 News. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  25. ^ Holmes, Jacob (August 15, 2022). "ALGOP votes to close primaries starting in 2024". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  26. ^ Yaffee (August 12, 2022). "ALGOP chair John Wahl: School choice, closed primaries and adoption reform among next session's priorities". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  27. ^ a b Shipley, Austin (February 27, 2023). "Wahl re-elected to state GOP chair". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  28. ^ Whitmire, Kyle (September 27, 2022). "Alabama GOP chair's family believed voter ID was mark of the beast, brother said in deposition". AL.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  29. ^ "ALGOP chairman elected as RNC vice chairman". Alabama Political Reporter. January 30, 2023. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  30. ^ Cason, Mike (January 28, 2023). "Alabama Republican Party leader John Wahl named vice chair for national GOP". Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  31. ^ Griesbach, Rebecca (February 25, 2023). "John Wahl reelected as Alabama GOP chairman". AL.com. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  32. ^ Staff (2025-03-03). "John Wahl re-elected as Alabama GOP chairman for third consecutive term". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  33. ^ Cason, Mike (April 1, 2025). "Who will be Alabama's next lieutenant governor? Why it might be the 'best race on the ballot' in 2026". AL.com. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  34. ^ Taylor, Caleb (May 30, 2025). "ALGOP chair John Wahl 'strongly considering' running for lieutenant governor in 2026". 1819 News. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  35. ^ Alloway, A.B. (November 21, 2025). "Jones to make it official? Another candidate for Lt. Gov.? Winter is coming; and more in this week's OTR". 256 Today. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  36. ^ Taylor, Caleb (January 22, 2026). "Trump endorses ALGOP chair Wahl as possible candidate for lieutenant governor". 1819 News. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  37. ^ "Fields take shape for Governor, Senate races (and others) as qualifying window closes". rocketcitynow.com. 2026-01-23. Retrieved 2026-01-24.
  38. ^ Conlon, Riley (January 23, 2026). "Joan Reynolds named Alabama GOP chairman after John Wahl files for lieutenant governor race". WVTM 13. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  39. ^ Sell, Mary (2026-01-23). "'RUN, JOHN, RUN': Trump endorses Wahl for lieutenant governor; qualifying ends today". Alabama Daily News. Retrieved 2026-03-17.
  40. ^ Stephenson, Jemma (2024-09-20). "Alabama Republican Party chair becomes state library board chair". Alabama Reflector. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  41. ^ leadership, Read Freely (2025-05-12). "John Wahl is gaslighting Alabamians about library content: op-ed". al. Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  42. ^ a b Britt, Bill (May 30, 2025). "Why is John Wahl using an alias on sworn state documents?". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  43. ^ a b Whitmire, Kyle (May 13, 2025). "Why does Alabama's GOP chairman have a Tennessee driver's license?". AL.com. Archived from the original on 2025-05-15. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  44. ^ a b Sell, Mary (January 27, 2026). "Wahl to make candidacy announcement today; Allen raises issue with 'homemade fake ID'". Alabama Daily News. Retrieved 2026-02-22.
  45. ^ Harry, Brittany (October 6, 2022). "Limestone County poll worker fired after concerns about ID belonging to ALGOP Chairman John Wahl". WAAY 31 News. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
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