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State Auditor Zeigler will not run for Governor

Late Sunday, State Auditor Jim Zeigler announced he would not run for the office of Governor, citing an inability to fundraise.

According to a statement given to Yellowhammer News, Zeigler is considering a bid for a down-ballot race.

“Even though I get a lot more bang for the buck as a candidate, the Governor’s race has attracted a massive amount of money from well-funded challengers. Three candidates alone have already raised in excess of $10 million,” he said in the statement accompanying the announcement.

Zeigler, nearing the end of his second term as State Auditor, is term-limited and cannot seek a third consecutive term as Auditor.

He cited fundraising total from the other candidates — incumbent Gov. Kay Ivey with a fundraising haul of $2.8 million, former U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia Lindy Blanchard at $6.3 million and Greenville businessman with Tim James $1.66 million. He noted his fundraising totals had amounted to $22,000.

Sources tell Yellowhammer News Zeigler is considering a bid for Alabama’s open Secretary of State position or the Place 1 Public Service Commission seat currently occupied by Jeremy Oden.

@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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