Former State Auditor Jim “Zig” Zeigler won the Republican nomination for Public Service Commission (PSC) Place 2 on Tuesday night, defeating incumbent Chris Beeker in a race driven by Alabama’s ongoing debate over utility rates.

Zeigler carried 51.34% of the vote to Beeker’s 48.66%, according to unofficial returns, with 152,633 votes to his 144,640 out of nearly 297,300 cast. The result marks a significant tightening from the May 19 primary, when Zeigler led by 20 points.

Zeigler dominated the May 19 primary with nearly 45% of the vote, more than doubling Beeker’s 24.5%. Governor Kay Ivey appointed Beeker to the commission in September 2024 after his father, longtime commissioner Chip Beeker Jr., resigned.

The PSC became a central issue during the 2026 legislative session after Alabama’s electricity rates drew statewide scrutiny. The Legislature expanded the commission from three members to seven this spring and extended a rate freeze through 2029. Zeigler faces Democrat Sheila McNeil in November for the PSC place 2 position.

Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].