Although it is just under 500 days until Alabama voters determine who will serve in the constitutional statewide offices, the first full month of fundraising ended for candidates competing for those offices up for grabs next year.
Both Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and Gov. Kay Ivey reported big fundraising hauls for the early stages of their campaigns last week.
However, as of Friday, we have a clearer picture of the numbers for races further down the ballot, as well.
Attorney General
Incumbent Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who is well-positioned to win another term, had a big month. He began the month of June with $166,482 and ended it with $379,572. According to a posting on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website, a significant portion of the increase was a result of $221,000 in contributions.
Should Marshall win and go on to complete the second term, he will have been the longest-serving attorney general in Alabama history, completing the remainder of Luther Strange’s term and two full terms, spanning from February 2017 into January 2027.
Secretary of State
Many expected this to be one of the more competitive races this election cycle, given the seat’s current occupant John Merrill is term-limited and cannot run again.
However, State Rep. Wes Allen (R-Troy) thus far is dominating in many aspects of the earlier stages of the contest.
Allen began the month of June with $31,000 and ended it with $53,807, which included fundraising contributions of $31,850 for the month.
State Auditor
With current State Auditor Jim Zeigler term-limited as well, this was another race some were watching, given it could serve as a potential launching pad for higher statewide office.
State Rep. Andrew Sorrell (R-Muscle Shoals) announced his candidacy last month and, right out of the gate, showed a loan to his campaign of $250,000 and ended June with $242,868.
Sorrell’s opponent Stan Cooke did not file a June report.
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.
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