Alabama Secretary of State Race Heats Up
Last week, the race for the Secretary of State in Alabama became more competitive with the entry of former Congressional candidate Karolene Dobson, who will challenge Andrew Sorrell, who previously had no opponents.
Currently, Sorrell holds the position of state auditor and reported having $313,869.57 in cash as of July 1. His campaign raised $64,475.02 in June, contributing to a total of $114,502.02 since the funding window opened in mid-May.
“Raising $64,475.02 this month is something I’m very pleased about,” Sorrell stated. “The support I’ve received since jumping into this race has really overwhelmed me. Just 43 days into the funding period, I’ve managed to secure an unprecedented $114,502.02 for this campaign.”
Sorrell highlighted his efforts: “I’ve hosted campaign events in 55 counties and addressed all 67. My strong record of election integrity really speaks for itself. My donor base is highly motivated, and the natural donor base for this office amplifies these funding numbers for roles like the treasurer or even the governor.”
Meanwhile, since announcing her candidacy on June 26, Karolene Dobson has infused $500,000 from personal loans into her campaign, and as of July 1, she also reported having the same amount in cash on hand.
Dobson is a well-known figure in Alabama politics, hailing from Beatrice in Monroe County and being a fifth-generation cow farmer. With a degree from Harvard and a law degree from Baylor, she worked in real estate finance law in San Antonio before returning to Montgomery in 2019 as a shareholder at Maynard Nexen. Besides her professional roles, she is also a wife and mother of two.
In a recent interview, Dobson expressed her belief that her professional background coupled with her passion for election integrity positions her well for the role. Reflecting on her 2024 Congressional race, she recalled, “In Mobile County, 43 absentee ballots were discounted. They were either improperly completed or fraudulent.” She criticized the notion that election fraud doesn’t exist, suggesting this perspective is akin to denying the occurrence of shoplifting.
Dobson proposed creating an electoral crime division based on a similar initiative in Florida, suggesting collaboration with prosecutors and law enforcement to “arrest fraudsters, investigate allegations, and prosecute them.” She also emphasized the need for the secretary of state to play a significant role in business affairs, saying, “We will reduce fees for Alabama businesses, streamline same-day services, and aim to make Alabama the top choice for incorporation.”
Finally, Dobson underscored the importance of every vote. “No local government election is too small to protect. Every vote counts,” she stated.
