State Rep. Andrew Sorrell (R-Muscle Shoals) secured the Republican nomination for the open state auditor position, defeating pastor Stan Cooke by nearly 15 points.
Sorrell received 57.46% of all votes cast, while Cooke garnered 42.54% of the vote.
At age 36, the freshman legislator will become the youngest-serving statewide constitutional officeholder.
The firebrand lawmaker, who is recognized annually as one of the most conservative members of the Alabama Legislature, campaigned for the position around the assertion that the state auditor’s role should be enhanced.
RELATED: State Rep. Andrew Sorrell: ‘The state auditor no longer audits, and I think that’s a big problem’
Attempts have been made in recent years to abolish the position of state auditor due to the appearance of the office having no significant role that necessitates it being a standalone constitutional office. It is believed that the bombastic style of term-limited State Auditor Jim Zeigler served to expedite calls for the office’s abolition.
Sorrell looks to not only combat efforts to terminate the office but increase its role in ensuring government accountability and proper use of tax dollars.
“I am humbled by the support we received from the voters of Alabama today,” Sorrell said in a statement to Yellowhammer News on Tuesday. “One year ago today I publicly announced my intention to run for State Auditor. Since that time I have been privileged to meet the wonderful people of Alabama all over the state.”
“I will spend the next four years working with the legislature to try and restore duties and responsibilities to the Auditor’s office that were stripped away over the last decades,” he added. “Alabamians deserve to have a strong government accountability position!”
As no Democrat was put forth to qualify as a candidate for state auditor, Sorrell faces no competition from the opposing party in the November 8 general election.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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