Republican Lt. Gov. Candidate Reverend Dean Odle lashes out at potential primary opponents. John Merrill receives harshest blows.
- Christopher M Peeks
- Mar 30
- 2 min read
By Christopher M Peeks March 30, 2025
Dean Odle On Primary Opponents
Yesterday, on March 28, 2025, the newest episode of the BCS State of Alabama podcast featured Republican Lt. Gov. candidate Reverend Dean Odle striking out at his potential foes in next year's GOP primary with the venom of a serpent-holding preacher. Odle, a candidate in the 2022 Governor's race, pulled no punches in a scathing assault on Secretary of State Wes Allen and Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, while former Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill received the most vicious remarks from the pastor-turned-politician. Agricultural Commissioner Rick Pate, another possible opponent, received high praise from Odle.
Dean Comes Out Swinging
When assessing his would-be competition, Odle left nothing to be desired. He chastised Secretary Allen. "So I have a problem with Mr. Wes Allen. Of course, he also, when he was in the legislature, voted for the gas tax. He was appointed by one of our crooked Republican governors, Bob Riley. So I'm just t
elling you, they've got problems," referencing Secretary Merrill.
Twinkle Twinkle Big Swamp Star
As for PSC President Twinkle Cavanaugh, Odle said, "Twinkle, she has one job at the Public Service Commission, and she didn't do that. And I think she's just bought and paid for. She's another Riley girl. And so the problem that those three have is that they are clearly establishment darlings connected to the Riley regime."
Chinese Influence Accusations
Secretary Merrill received the blunt of Odle’s ire. He accused Merrill
of helping the Chinese manipulate the voting machines. I asked him if "Merrill was connected to the Chinese government," he emphatically stated, "Yes." When I further pressed him if he thought "Merrill was an agent of China," he declined to make that assertion.
Dean Odle On John Merrill
Odle, not stopping at calling Merrill "a liar or ignorant" on the issue of whether voting machine software could be hacked, he opened up an old wound, claiming Merrill had "serious moral issues," and "any man that's gonna be cheating on his wife, I don't know if you can, if she can't trust him, none of us can."
On Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate Dean said, "As for Rick Pate, I like Rick Pate a lot. I met him and hung out with him a little bit when I was running last time. I think Rick Pate is a great guy. So, you know, he and I will probably get along just fine. And, you know, I wish him the best, and I hope to beat him. But, you know, if Rick Pate was to win, I would not have a problem with that."
The GOP primary for Lt Gov will be held in June 2026.
Christopher M Peeks
Reporter and Columnist
Alabama Political Contributor
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