It all started with a key endorsement from President Donald Trump, and now former ALGOP Chairman John Wahl is the Republican nominee to be Alabama’s next lieutenant governor.
In what became a heated election contest, Wahl was able to win the runoff election against Secretary of State Wes Allen.
With 90.5% of expected votes counted, Wahl earned 56.9% of the vote compared to Allen’s 43.01%.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the people of Alabama for the trust they put in me,” Wahl said. “I am humbled by this victory and want to give all credit to the people of Alabama and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This campaign has never been about me, or the position of Lieutenant Governor. It is about the people of this state. Tonight, they sent a clear message. They are tired of politics as usual. They want a conservative fighter that will go to Montgomery to defend our values, fight for our freedoms, and never back down. That is exactly what I will do as your Lieutenant Governor.”
In conceding the race, Allen reflected on what he learned about Alabamians as he traveled the state during his campaign.
“I am proud of the campaign I have run over the past 18 months. I have built relationships with amazing people from all corners of the state of Alabama. Voters deserve candidates who travel the entire state and make themselves available in every community from the mountains of North Alabama to the peanut fields of the Wiregrass to the beaches of the Gulf Coast. I have listened to Alabamians, responded to their concerns and taken in their ideas for making the state the best it can be for our children and grandchildren,” Allen said. “I will continue to work hard as Alabama’s 54th Secretary of State and it is my honor to continue to serve in that role until January, 2027.”
Wahl outperformed in the May primary to make the runoff after some of the polls were showing him behind.
The former ALGOP Chairman campaigned on issues like cutting the state income tax and supporting Trump’s efforts to deport illegal immigrants.
The contest grew contentious after Allen accused Wahl of illegally voting in a previous election, celebrating Ramadan in a Muslim mosque, and even having his campaign put out an ad with an AI raccoon.
Wahl was able to successfully counter by combatting the smears and portraying himself as the outsider against the establishment.
He now faces off in the November general election against the Democratic nominee Phillip Ensler.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
