2026 Alabama State Auditor election

Last updated

2026 Alabama State Auditor election
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November 3, 2026
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CandidateTBDViolet Edwards
Party Republican Democratic
Incumbent State Auditor

Andrew Sorrell
Republican



The 2026 Alabama State Auditor election will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the state auditor of Alabama. The primary election will be held on May 19. Incumbent auditor Andrew Sorrell initially announced that he was retiring to run for secretary of state. [1] He later announced that he would withdraw from that election and instead run for re-election to a second consecutive term. [2]

Contents

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrawn

Endorsements

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of December 31, 2025
CandidateRaisedOther receiptsSpentCash on hand
Derek Chen (R)$47,327$500,314$125,336$422,305
Josh Pendergrass (R)$558$14,194$32$14,719
Source: Alabama FCPA [12]

Campaign

On February 24, 2025, incumbent state auditor Andrew Sorrell told 1819 News that he would forgo reelection and instead run in the 2026 Alabama Secretary of State election, seeking the office of Alabama Secretary of State. This initially left the office of state auditor open in 2026. [13]

In June 2025, the College Republican Federation of Alabama announced the results of their first straw poll. Chen led with 47%, Pendergrass received 30%, and "Other" received the remaining 22%. [14] Following the release of the results, Robert McCollum compared the organization to Nazis and communists. McCollum had not yet filed with the Secretary of State's office. [15] He withdrew from the election on September 17, and endorsed Chen. [5]

Shortly after candidate qualifying opened in January 2026, Sorrell announced that he would withdraw from the Secretary of State election, and would instead run for re-election to a second term as state auditor. [16] Derek Chen, who had previously received several endorsements from statewide organizations such as the Alabama Farmers Federation, [11] confirmed that he would remain in the race, and told 1819 News, "I'm just going to stay focused on continuing to run our game plan". [17]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Endorsements

Violet Edwards
U.S. senators

References

  1. ↑ "Alabama auditor Andrew Sorrell is running for secretary of state". AP News. February 24, 2025. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  2. ↑ Everett, Grayson (January 5, 2026). "Andrew Sorrell to drop back to State Auditor in 2026 rather than Secretary of State". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  3. ↑ Shipley, Austen (April 9, 2025). "Conservative attorney, activist Derek Chen throws hat in ring for state auditor's race". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  4. ↑ Taylor, Caleb (January 5, 2026). "Andrew Sorrell drops out of Secretary of State race, announces re-election bid for State Auditor". 1819 News. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Zeigler, Jim (September 18, 2025). "McCollum exits State Auditor race, endorses Derek Chen". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Qualified 2026 Republican Candidates". Alabama Republican Party. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
  7. ↑ Zeigler, Jim (October 1, 2025). "ALFA makes endorsements in 2026 Alabama statewide races". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  8. ↑ Everett, Grayson. "Alabama Forestry Association endorses Derek Chen for State Auditor". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  9. ↑ "BCA Endorses State Sen. Jack Williams for Alabama Ag Commissioner, Derek Chen for State Auditor". Yellowhammer News. December 4, 2025. Retrieved December 4, 2025.
  10. ↑ Zeigler, Jim (September 19, 2025). "Electric Cooperatives of Alabama endorses Derek Chen for State Auditor, Chris Beeker for PSC". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Zeigler, Jim (October 7, 2025). "First-time candidate Derek Chen lands two powerhouse endorsements in bid for Alabama State Auditor". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Political Race Search". Alabama FCPA. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  13. ↑ Monger, Craig (February 24, 2025). "State Auditor Andrew Sorrell running for Secretary of State". 1819 News . Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  14. ↑ Garrison, Greg (June 15, 2025). "Alabama 2026 election poll: As Tuberville dominates, front-runners emerge in state's top races". AL.com. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  15. ↑ Everett, Grayson (June 18, 2025). "Former PSC candidate Robert McCollum compares Alabama College Republicans to Nazi, Communist parties in late-night social media tirade". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  16. ↑ Sharp, John (January 5, 2026). "Alabama official abandons one statewide campaign for another race". AL.com. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  17. ↑ Thomas, Erica (January 5, 2026). "Attorney Derek Chen staying focused on State Auditor race following Sorrell announcement". 1819 News. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Violet Edwards announces run for Alabama State Auditor". Alabama Political Reporter. January 12, 2026. Retrieved January 12, 2026.
  19. ↑ Musick, Mecca (January 12, 2026). "Madison County Commissioner Violet Edwards announces run for Alabama State Auditor". 256 Today. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
Official campaign websites


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