2022 Alabama Secretary of State election

Last updated

2022 Alabama Secretary of State election
Flag of Alabama.svg
←  2018 November 8, 20222026 →
Turnout38.5% Decrease2.svg
 
Nominee Wes Allen Pamela Laffitte
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote925,267436,862
Percentage65.9%31.1%
2022 Alabama Secretary of State election results map by county.svg
2022 AL SOS election by US House Districts.svg
2022 AL SOS.svg
Allen:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
Laffitte:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
     No data
Tie:     50%
Secretary of State before election

John Merrill
Republican

Elected Secretary of State

Wes Allen
Republican

The 2022 Alabama Secretary of State election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the next secretary of state of Alabama. Incumbent Republican Secretary of State John Merrill was term-limited and could not run for a third term.

Contents

The Republican primary for this race was held on May 24, 2022. No candidate reached the threshold of 50 percent plus one vote, so an ensuing runoff to decide the nominee was held on June 21, 2022. Although outgoing State Auditor Jim Zeigler won the first round, state representative Wes Allen won the runoff and thus the Republican Party nomination. Allen defeated Democrat Pamela J. Laffitte and Libertarian Matt Shelby in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in runoff

Eliminated in primary

Endorsements

Wes Allen
Individuals
  • Christian Horn, activist and former candidate for this position, eliminated in primary [8]
Organizations
  • Alabama Association of Realtors [9]
  • Alabama Citizens for Life [10]
  • Alabama Farmers Federation [11]
  • Alabama Forestry Association [12]
  • Coastal 150 [13]
  • Manufacture Alabama [14]
PACs
  • Alabama Realtors Political Action Committee [15]
  • Alabama RetailPAC [16]
  • ProgressPAC [17]
Jim Zeigler
Individuals
Organizations
Ed Packard (eliminated)
Individuals

Debates and forums

The Butler County Republican Party organization held a Republican candidates' forum on February 28, 2022, at the Wendell Mitchell Conference Center on the campus of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Greenville. The forum was attended by candidates Allen and Packard. The forum also hosted candidates for U.S. Senate, Governor, and the Alabama Supreme Court. [26]

The League of Women Voters hosted a forum for the candidates in the race on April 26, 2022, at the Farley Auditorium located inside the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery. Candidates Chris Horn and Ed Packard were present; Wes Allen declined due to scheduling conflict, and Jim Zeigler fell ill the morning of the forum. [27]

According to the Alabama Political Reporter,

When asked about ensuring access for certain marginalized groups such as the disabled, homeless and out-of-area college students, Horn said he knows what it is like to be a marginalized group as a Black man and formerly being paralyzed from the neck down.

"So the first thing is the Secretary of State must not be bureaucratic, but they must lead from the heart," Horn said. "They must have a heart to hear the concerns of those people, my people and those communities that I've been a part of, and certainly be able to listen to the organizations that represent their interests and have an open door— but it's a heart-based leadership."

Packard also said he would want to work with marginalized groups, adding that he has already been working with the National Federation of the Blind.

"I've been working with the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program over at the University of Alabama to work on legislation to make voting for people with disabilities easier," Packard said. "And what I have put out ever since I got involved in this race back in December, is that we should allow those individuals who are disabled to vote the same way we allow overseas, military and US citizens to vote and that is electronically from the comfort of their home."

However, both candidates stated their opposition to early voting and no-excuse absentee voting. [27]

All four candidates were present at a debate hosted by Eagle Forum of Alabama at the O'Neal Public Library in Mountain Brook. [28]

All four candidates were present at the Doster Center in Prattville for a candidates' forum hosted by the Autauga County Republican Executive Committee. [29]

Candidates Allen and Zeigler squared off in a debate at the Gardendale Civic Center just over a week ahead of the Republican primary runoff on June 13, 2022. The debate was cosponsored by WYDE-FM and 1819 News. [30]

2022 Alabama Republican Secretary of State primary debates and forums
No.DateLocationHostModeratorLinkParticipants
 P Participant   A Absent   N Non-invitee   I Invitee E Eliminated   W  Withdrawn
Allen Horn Packard Zeigler
1 [26] Feb 28, 2022 Greenville Butler County Republican PartyN/AN/APAPA
2 [27] Apr 27, 2022 Montgomery League of Women VotersN/AN/AAPPA
3 [28] May 9, 2022 Mountain Brook Eagle Forum of AlabamaN/A Facebook PPPP
4 [29] May 11, 2022 Prattville Autauga County Republican PartyN/AN/APPPP
5 [30] June 13, 2022 Gardendale WYDE-FMScott Beason
Becky Garretson		 Facebook PEEP

First round

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [lower-alpha 1] 		Margin
of error		Wes
Allen		Christian
Horn		Ed
Packard		Jim
Zeigler		Undecided
Emerson College May 15–16, 2022706 (LV)± 3.6%14%4%2%20%60%
Cygnal (R) May 6–7, 2022600 (LV)± 4.0%14%3%4%20%59%
Wisemen Consulting (R) March 15–17, 2022905 (LV)± 3.4%11%3%3%36%47%
McLaughlin & Associates (R) [upper-alpha 1] March 10–13, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%13%2%1%26%57%

Results

Republican primary first round results by county Allen 40-50% 50-60% 60-70% 80-90% Zeigler 40-50% 50-60% 2022 Alabama Secretary of State Republican primary election results map by county.svg
Republican primary first round results by county
  Allen
  •   40–50%
      50–60%
      60–70%
      80–90%
  Zeigler
  •   40–50%
      50–60%
Republican primary results [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jim Zeigler 237,482 42.7%
Republican Wes Allen 220,880 39.7%
Republican Christian Horn54,5729.8%
Republican Ed Packard 43,4867.8%
Total votes556,420 100.0%

Runoff

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [lower-alpha 1] 		Margin
of error		Wes
Allen		Jim
Zeigler		Undecided
McLaughlin & Associates (R) [upper-alpha 1] June 13–16, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%30%38%32%
McLaughlin & Associates (R) [upper-alpha 1] June 6–9, 2022500 (LV)± 4.4%28%34%37%

Results

Republican primary runoff results by county Allen 50-60% 60-70% 80-90% 90-100% Zeigler 50-60% 2022 Alabama Secretary of State Republican primary runoff election results map by county.svg
Republican primary runoff results by county
  Allen
  •   50–60%
      60–70%
      80–90%
      90–100%
  Zeigler
  •   50–60%
Republican primary runoff results [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Wes Allen 248,132 65.4%
Republican Jim Zeigler 131,41334.6%
Total votes379,545 100.0%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Endorsements

Pamela J. Laffitte
Organizations
  • Alabama New South Alliance [34]

Libertarian nomination

No primary was held for the Libertarian Party, and candidates were instead nominated by the party. [35]

Nominee

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Sabato's Crystal Ball [36] Safe RDecember 1, 2021
Elections Daily [37] Safe RNovember 7, 2022

Endorsements

Wes Allen (R)
State officials
Individuals
  • Christian Horn, activist and former candidate for this position, eliminated in primary [8]
Organizations
  • Alabama Association of Realtors [15]
  • Alabama Citizens for Life [10]
  • Alabama Farmers Federation [11]
  • Alabama Forestry Association [12]
  • Coastal 150 [13]
  • Manufacture Alabama [14]
PACs
  • Alabama Realtors Political Action Committee [15]
  • Alabama RetailPAC [16]
  • ProgressPAC [17]
Pamela J. Laffitte (D)
Labor unions
Organizations
  • Alabama New South Alliance [34]

Results

2022 Alabama Secretary of State election results [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Wes Allen 925,267 65.88% +4.86%
Democratic Pamela Laffitte436,86231.11%−7.81%
Libertarian Jason "Matt" Shelby416112.96%N/A
Write-in 6630.05%-0.01%
Total votes1,404,403 100.00%

By congressional district

Allen won 6 of 7 congressional districts. [41]

DistrictAllenLaffitteRepresentative
1st 67%29% Jerry Carl
2nd 69%29% Barry Moore
3rd 71%26% Mike Rogers
4th 84%14% Robert Aderholt
5th 66%30% Mo Brooks (117th Congress)
Dale Strong (118th Congress)
6th 67%29% Gary Palmer
7th 36%62% Terri Sewell

Notes

  1. 1 2 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
Partisan clients
  1. 1 2 3 Poll sponsored by ForestPAC

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Auditor of Alabama</span>

The state auditor of Alabama is constitutionally required to make a complete report to the governor of Alabama showing the receipts and disbursement of every character, all claims audited and paid out, and all taxes and revenues collected and paid into the treasury. The office also makes other reports to the governor and the Alabama Legislature as the law requires. Since 1969, the office has been responsible for maintaining all property records of all non-consumable property of the State of Alabama. Until 1899 the office was responsible for maintaining all land records of the state when at that time, that function was transferred to the Alabama Forestry Commission. A separate Office of Public Examiners administers audits conducted by the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Palmer (politician)</span> American politician (born 1954)

Gary James Palmer is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Alabama's 6th congressional district since 2015. His district includes the wealthier parts of Birmingham, as well as most of its suburbs. Before becoming an elected official, Palmer co-founded and served as the longtime president of the Alabama Policy Institute, a conservative think tank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States Senate election in Alabama</span>

The 2020 United States Senate election in Alabama was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Alabama, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections.

Jim Zeigler is an American lawyer and politician who served as state auditor of Alabama from 2015 to 2023. Before becoming state auditor, he served on the Alabama Public Service Commission from 1974 to 1978.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Alabama</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Alabama was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Alabama. Incumbent senator Richard Shelby was first elected in 1986 and re-elected in 1992 as a Democrat before becoming a Republican in 1994. In February 2021, Shelby announced that he would not seek re-election to a seventh term, which resulted in the first open Senate seat since 1996 and the first in this seat since 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Ainsworth</span> American politician (born 1981)

Will Ainsworth is an American politician serving as the 31st lieutenant governor of Alabama since 2019. He previously served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2014 to 2018, representing its 27th district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama</span>

The 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama were held on November 3, 2020, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of Alabama, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections coincided with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Sorrell</span> American politician (born 1985 or 1986)

Justin Andrew Sorrell is an American politician who is the incumbent State Auditor of Alabama, serving since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 2018 to 2022, representing the 3rd district, which includes the northwestern counties of Colbert and Lawrence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the governor of Alabama. Incumbent Governor Kay Ivey took office on April 10, 2017, upon the resignation of Robert J. Bentley (R) and won a full term in 2018. In 2022, she won her bid for a second full term in a landslide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama were held on November 8, 2022, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of Alabama, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

John Wahl is an American political strategist and butterfly breeder who is the incumbent chair of the Alabama Republican Party, serving since 2021. He is also a vice chair of the Republican National Committee, representing its southern division since 2023. Wahl is the youngest chair of a state Republican party in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dale Strong</span> American politician (born 1970)

Dale Whitney Strong is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Alabama's 5th congressional district since 2023. His district includes much of North Alabama, including the city of Huntsville. A member of the Republican Party, Strong served on the Madison County Commission starting in 1996, and was its chairman from 2012 to 2023.

Wesley Harrison Allen is an American politician and former probate judge who is the incumbent Secretary of State of Alabama, serving since 2023. He was previously a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing the 89th district from 2018 to 2022, and was elected as Secretary of State in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Britt</span> American politician and attorney (born 1982)

Katie Elizabeth Britt is an American politician and attorney serving since 2023 as the junior United States senator from Alabama. A member of the Republican Party, Britt is the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama and the youngest Republican woman to be elected to the Senate. She was president and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama from 2019 to 2021, and was chief of staff for her Senate predecessor, Richard Shelby, from 2016 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama Attorney General election</span>

The 2022 Alabama Attorney General election took place on November 8, 2022, to elect the Attorney General of Alabama. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Steve Marshall won re-election to a second term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama House of Representatives election</span>

The 2022 Alabama House of Representatives elections were held on November 8, 2022. The Republican and Democratic primaries were held on May 24, 2022, and any races in which no candidate exceeded one-half plus one of the total votes advanced to a runoff on June 21, 2022. This was the first election cycle since 2002 in which the Libertarian Party of Alabama was on the ballot, as they exceeded the threshold for petition signatures needed to gain ballot access in Alabama. Libertarian candidates were nominated by party convention. All 105 of Alabama's state representatives were up for reelection. In Alabama, members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate serve four-year terms, running in years corresponding with presidential midterm elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama Senate election</span>

The 2022 Alabama Senate elections took place on November 8, 2022, as part of the 2022 United States elections. Alabama voters elected state senators in all 35 of the state's Senate districts. State senators serve four-year terms in the Alabama Senate in Montgomery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election</span>

The 2022 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the lieutenant governor of the state of Alabama. The election coincided with various other federal and state elections, including for Governor of Alabama. Primary elections were held on May 24, with runoffs scheduled for June 21 if a candidate failed to receive a majority of the vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama</span>

The 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect the seven U.S. representatives from the state of Alabama, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections will coincide with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate, and various state and local elections.

Bryan Brinyark is an American attorney, judge, and politician who serves in the Alabama House of Representatives, representing its 16th district since 2024. A member of the Republican Party, his district includes all of Fayette County, as well as parts of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson in the western part of the state.

References

  1. ↑ "State Rep. Wes Allen announces run for secretary of state". Alabama Political Reporter. May 7, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  2. ↑ Cason, Mike (January 27, 2022). "State Auditor Jim Zeigler running for Alabama secretary of state". Advance Local. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  3. ↑ Burkhalter, Eddie (November 10, 2021). "Former Alabama House candidate indicates possible secretary of state bid". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  4. ↑ Poor, Jeff (November 9, 2021). "North Alabama GOP activist Chris Horn to announce Secretary of State bid". Yellowhammer News . Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Moseley, Brandon (January 29, 2022). "Candidate qualifying is over except for Congress". 1819 News. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  6. ↑ Smith, Dylan (February 24, 2022). "Republican activist Christian Horn launches Secretary of State candidacy". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  7. ↑ Mealins, Evan (December 28, 2021). "Auburn alum running for Alabama secretary of state". The Auburn Plainsman . Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Yaffee, Michael (June 8, 2022). "Chris Horn endorses Wes Allen for Alabama Secretary of State". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
  9. ↑ Smith, Dylan (May 11, 2022). "Alabama Association of Realtors announces primary election endorsements". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Glenn, John H. (May 13, 2022). "Alabama Citizens for Life endorse Wes Allen for secretary of state". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  11. 1 2 Helms, Jeff (September 28, 2021). "Alabama Farmers Federation announces 2022 endorsements". Alabama Farmers Federation. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  12. 1 2 Howe, Tim (July 13, 2021). "Wes Allen picks up key endorsement in Secretary of State race". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Coastal 150 announces statewide endorsements". Alabama Political Reporter. May 11, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  14. 1 2 Smith, Dylan (February 23, 2022). "Secretary of State hopeful Wes Allen lands Manufacture Alabama endorsement". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  15. 1 2 3 Smith, Dylan (June 13, 2022). "Alabama Association of Realtors announces runoff election endorsements". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  16. 1 2 "Alabama RetailPAC announces endorsements". Alabama Political Reporter. April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
  17. 1 2 "BCA's ProgressPAC endorses Wes Allen for Alabama Secretary of State". Alabama Political Reporter. March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  18. ↑ Thomas, Erica (April 20, 2022). "'My Pillow Guy' Mike Lindell endorses Zeigler for Secretary of State". 1819 News. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  19. ↑ Odle, Dean (June 14, 2022). "Please join me in voting JIM ZEIGLER for SECRETARY OF STATE". Facebook . Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  20. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (June 17, 2022). "Alabama Republican Assembly endorses Zeigler for Secretary of State". 1819 News. Retrieved June 17, 2022.
  21. ↑ "America First SOS candidates". America First Secretary of State Coalition . n.d. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  22. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (May 23, 2022). "Christian Conservatives of Alabama endorse Tim James and Mo Brooks". 1819 News. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  23. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (March 7, 2022). "Common Sense Campaign endorses Zeigler". 1819 News. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Alabama 2022 voter guide". Stand for Health Freedom. May 18, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  25. 1 2 Flynt, J. Wayne; Johnson, Gerald W. (March 23, 2022). "Auburn's Flynt, Johnson endorse Packard". 1819 News. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  26. 1 2 Branum, Bruce (March 2, 2022). "GOP candidates visit Greenville". The Greenville Standard. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  27. 1 2 3 Holmes, Jacob (April 27, 2022). "Packard, Horn answer questions at League of Women Voters Forum". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  28. 1 2 Blakely, Will (May 10, 2022). "VIDEO: Secretary of State candidates meet in forum, talk election integrity". 1819 News. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  29. 1 2 "Autauga County Republican Executive Committee Candidate Forum". Alabama Republican Party . May 3, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
  30. 1 2 Moseley, Brandon (June 14, 2022). "GOP Secretary of State candidates debate in Gardendale". 1819 News. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  31. ↑ "2022 Republican primary official results". Alabama Secretary of State . June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  32. ↑ "2022 Republican runoff official results". Alabama Secretary of State. July 6, 2022. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  33. ↑ Cason, Mike (January 29, 2022). "Alabama Republican candidates far outnumber Democrats as qualifying for May 24 primary wraps up". Advance Local. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  34. 1 2 "Pamela J. Laffitte for Secretary of State". Pamela J. Laffitte for Secretary of State. n.d. Endorsements. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  35. 1 2 Moseley, Brandon (May 24, 2022). "Libertarians gain ballot access". 1819 News. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
  36. ↑ Jacobson, Louis (December 1, 2021). "Secretary of state races: More important than ever in 2022, and more complicated, too". Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  37. ↑ Solomon, Zack (November 7, 2022). "Elections Daily Secretary of State Ratings". Elections Daily. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  38. ↑ Smith, Dylan (June 22, 2022). "Wes Allen defeats Jim Zeigler in Alabama Secretary of State runoff election". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved June 14, 2022.
  39. ↑ Moseley, Brandon (August 10, 2022). "AFL-CIO endorses Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians". 1819 News. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  40. ↑ "Canvass of Results - General Election - November 8, 2022" (PDF). Secretary of State of Alabama. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  41. ↑ "Dra 2020".
Official campaign websites
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.