Republican party removes Bryan from ballott

The Alabama Republican Party headquarters announced Friday afternoon has denied ballot access  to Anniston Attorney Ray Bryan and three other Republicans in this years republican primary.  Bryan was among 18 candidates whose status qualifications to run as Republicans were challenged after the sign-up period to run in the 2014 elections ended Feb. 7. Party chairman Bill Armistead said that all 18 were challenged by other party members, and that those challenges would be reviewed this weekend.  Party officials have never publicly stated what grounds any complainant had for challenging Bryan's candidacy. Armistead said that challenges to the 18 candidates were due to a variety of issues, including questions about residency, technical or paperwork problems or doubts that the candidates were truly Republicans.  Bryan announced his candidacy for state auditor last year, saying if elected, he hoped to work for an amendment to the 1901 Constitution to abolish the state auditor's office  Placing it under the Examiners of Public Accounts, the auditing agency of the legislative branch. Four Republicans and one Democrat remain in the race for state auditor. Independent candidates have until June to qualify to for the election.