Jim Zeigler, Wes Allen in GOP runoff for secretary of state
Outgoing State Auditor Jim Zeigler and state Rep. Wes Allen advanced to the Republican primary runoff to succeed GOP incumbent John Merrill as Alabama’s top elections officer, secretary of state. Zeigler was barred from running again as auditor by term limits, and Allen served nearly a decade as probate judge in Pike County. Neither could get above the 50% vote threshold in a race that also included Ed Packard, who worked in the secretary of state’s elections division for nearly 25 years, and Christian Horn, a GOP activist and business owner from Madison County. None of the four candidates raised major complaints about election problems in Alabama, which is controlled by Republicans and voted heavily for President Donald Trump in 2020. But all talked about measures needed to tighten election security, an issue popularized among conservatives by Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen by President Joe Biden. The eventual Republican nominee will face Democrat Pamela J. Laffitte of Mobile in November. Merrill couldn’t seek the office again after serving two terms. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Alabama GOP voters decide secretary of state, other nominees
Republican voters in Alabama will decide their party’s nominees in four statewide races Tuesday after campaigns in which many of the candidates touted their devotion to faith, former President Donald Trump, and guns. A statewide constitutional amendment to fund park improvements also is on the ballot. Here are the key races to watch: SECRETARY OF STATE Four Republicans and one Democrat are on the primary ballot to succeed GOP incumbent John Merrill as Alabama’s top elections officer, secretary of state. Ed Packard, who worked in the secretary of state’s elections division for nearly 25 years, is seeking the Republican nomination in a field that includes Jim Zeigler, who was barred from running again as state auditor by term limits; state Rep. Wes Allen of Troy, who served nearly a decade as probate judge in Pike County; and Christian Horn, a GOP activist and business owner from Madison County. None of the four candidates has raised major complaints about election problems in Alabama, which is controlled by Republicans and voted heavily for President Donald Trump in 2020. But all have talked about measures needed to tighten election security, an issue popularized among conservatives by Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen by President Joe Biden. Merrill couldn’t seek the office again after serving two terms. The eventual Republican nominee will face Democrat Pamela J. Laffitte of Mobile in November. ATTORNEY GENERAL Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall faces a single primary challenger as he seeks a second four-year term as the state’s main law enforcement official. First appointed to the position in 2017, Marshall is opposed by Harry Bartlett Still III, an attorney from Daphne. Marshall, who previously served as district attorney in Marshall County, regularly opposes initiatives launched by Democratic President Joe Biden, including vaccination requirements for COVID-19 and federal policies along the border with Mexico, and he testified against the nomination of now-Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. Still contends corruption is rampant in state government and that the agency that oversees police standards and training in the state needs to be reorganized to increase public trust in law enforcement. He also supports replacing Alabama’s heavily amended constitution, passed in 1901 to ensure white supremacy. The winner will face Democratic nominee Wendell Major, police chief in the Birmingham-area city of Tarrant, in November. STATE AUDITOR Candidates for Alabama state auditor typically emphasize the importance of keeping track of state property, but three Republicans seeking the office this year added another talking point in the era of false claims about a stolen presidential vote — election security. Stan Cooke, a pastor from Kimberly; Rusty Glover, a former history teacher from Semmes who served in the state Senate; and state Rep. Andrew Sorrell of Muscle Shoals all are emphasizing the auditor’s role of selecting county registrar boards as they seek the office. Almost directly echoing false claims by former President Donald Trump, Cooke’s campaign website says the state must get ahead of Democrats before they “try and steal our elections as they did in Pennsylvania, Arizona, and even our neighbor to the east, Georgia.” The incumbent, Jim Zeigler, couldn’t seek reelection after serving two terms and is running for secretary of state. Winning the Republican nomination is tantamount to election because no Democrat qualified to run for auditor. SUPREME COURT One Republican candidate for the Alabama Supreme Court is trying to woo voters with a mix that includes his devotion to God and former President Donald Trump. The other is emphasizing her experience in the courtroom — and her gun. Greg Cook, an attorney from metro Birmingham, and Debra Jones, a circuit judge who hears cases in Calhoun and Cleburne, are seeking the Republican nomination for the Place 5 Supreme Court seat held by Justice Mike Bolin, who is retiring. Cook is portraying himself as a “Trump-tough” Republican who was a Trump delegate and represented conservative interests in the 2000 presidential recount contest in Florida between Al Gore and President George W. Bush. Aside from partisan and legal qualifications, Cook’s campaign resume features his longtime church membership and leadership. Jones released a commercial late in the campaign boasting of her support for Trump, her short stature — “She’s 5 feet of concrete” — and a case in which she sentenced a person convicted of child molestation to more than 1,000 years in prison. The spot shows her firing a handgun and saying the only reason she didn’t put the person “under the jail” was “the liberals” wouldn’t let her. All nine members of the court are Republicans, and the winner of the Place 5 race will be a heavy favorite over Democrat Anita L. Kelly, a judge in Montgomery, in the general election. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT Voters will decide whether to let the state go into debt for $85 million in bonds to spruce up Alabama’s state parks and historical sites. A statewide constitutional amendment on the ballot would provide $80 million in funding for state park projects that include adding and improving camping sites, adding wireless service, upgrading electrical and water service, replacing playgrounds, constructing swimming pools, and repairing parts of Gulf State Park damaged by Hurricane Sally. The remaining $5 million would go to the Alabama Historical Commission for acquiring, renovating, and maintaining historical parks around the state. The agency wouldn’t be allowed to use the money at Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury. The park is funded by a tax that was originally intended for needy Confederate veterans. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Offices including secretary of state contested in Alabama
The campaigns for U.S. Senate and governor have gotten the most attention leading up to Tuesday’s primary in Alabama, but five other statewide races are on the ballot. With multiple candidates in some races, some nominations may not be decided until after runoff elections scheduled for June 21. Here are some of the key races to watch: SECRETARY OF STATE Four Republicans and one Democrat are on the primary ballot to succeed GOP incumbent John Merrill as Alabama’s top elections officer, secretary of state. Ed Packard, who worked in the secretary of state’s elections division for nearly 25 years, is seeking the Republican nomination in a field that includes Jim Zeigler, who was barred from running again as state auditor by term limits; state Rep. Wes Allen of Troy, who served nearly a decade as probate judge in Pike County; and Christian Horn, a GOP activist and business owner from Madison County. None of the four candidates has raised major complaints about election problems in Alabama, which is controlled by Republicans and voted heavily for President Donald Trump in 2020. But all have talked about measures needed to tighten election security, an issue popularized among conservatives by Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen by President Joe Biden. Merrill couldn’t seek the office again after serving two terms. The eventual Republican nominee will face Democrat Pamela J. Laffitte of Mobile in November. ATTORNEY GENERAL Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall faces a single primary challenger as he seeks a second four-year term as the state’s main law enforcement official. First appointed to the position in 2017, Marshall is opposed by Harry Bartlett Still III, an attorney from Daphne. Marshall, who previously served as district attorney in Marshall County, regularly opposes initiatives launched by Democratic President Joe Biden, including vaccination requirements for COVID-19 and federal policies along the border with Mexico, and he testified against the nomination of now-Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. Still contends corruption is rampant in state government, and that the agency that oversees police standards and training in the state needs to be reorganized to increase public trust in law enforcement. He also supports replacing Alabama’s heavily amended Constitution, passed in 1901 to ensure white supremacy. The winner will face Democratic nominee Wendell Major, police chief in the Birmingham-area city of Tarrant, in November. STATE AUDITOR Candidates for Alabama state auditor typically emphasize the importance of keeping track of state property, but three Republicans seeking the office this year added another talking point in the era of false claims about a stolen presidential vote — election security. Stan Cooke, a pastor from Kimberly; Rusty Glover, a former history teacher from Semmes who served in the state Senate; and state Rep. Andrew Sorrell of Muscle Shoals all are emphasizing the auditor’s role of selecting county registrar boards as they seek the office. Almost directly echoing false claims by former President Donald Trump, Cooke’s campaign website says the state must get ahead of Democrats before they “try and steal our elections as they did in Pennsylvania, Arizona, and even our neighbor to the east, Georgia.” The incumbent, Jim Zeigler, couldn’t seek re-election after serving two terms and is running for secretary of state. Winning the Republican nomination is tantamount to election since no Democrat qualified to run for auditor. SUPREME COURT One Republican candidate for the Alabama Supreme Court is trying to woo voters with a mix that includes his devotion to God and former President Donald Trump. The other is emphasizing her experience in the courtroom — and her gun. Greg Cook, an attorney from metro Birmingham, and Debra Jones, a circuit judge who hears cases in Calhoun and Cleburne, are seeking the Republican nomination for the Place 5 Supreme Court seat held by Justice Mike Bolin, who is retiring. Cook is portraying himself as a “Trump-tough” Republican who was a Trump delegate and represented conservative interests in the 2000 presidential recount contest in Florida between Al Gore and President George W. Bush. Aside from partisan and legal qualifications, Cook’s campaign resume features his longtime church membership and leadership. Jones released a commercial late in the campaign boasting of her support for Trump, her short stature — “She’s 5 feet of concrete” — and a case in which she sentenced a person convicted of child molestation to more than 1,000 years in prison. The spot shows her firing a handgun and saying the only reason she didn’t put the person “under the jail” was that “the liberals” wouldn’t let her. All nine members of the court are Republicans, and the winner of the Place 5 race will be a heavy favorite over Democrat Anita L. Kelly, a judge in Montgomery, in the general election. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT Voters will decide whether to let the state go into debt for $85 million in bonds to spruce up Alabama’s state parks and historical sites. A statewide constitutional amendment on the ballot would provide $80 million in funding for state park projects that include adding and improving camping sites, adding wireless service, upgrading electrical and water service, replacing playgrounds, constructing swimming pools, and repairing parts of Gulf State Park damaged by Hurricane Sally. The remaining $5 million would go to the Alabama Historical Commission for acquiring, renovating, and maintaining historical parks around the state. The agency wouldn’t be allowed to use the money at Confederate Memorial Park in Marbury. The park is funded by a tax that was originally intended for needy Confederate veterans. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Confirmed: Ed Packard personnel files show series of disciplinary actions
Ed Packard is currently running to be Alabama’s next Secretary of State and has worked for over 20 years in the SOS office. He is running on his record of voter integrity and security. However, documents uncovered recently show that Packard was demoted by Secretary of State John Merrill in 2017 because of a costly mistake with ballot reprints. Packard cost taxpayers almost $500,000 in 3,000,000 ballot reprints. In a recently released document called “Ed Packard’s Demotion”, the state personnel office upholds his demotion and notes that Packard had four written reprimands in his personnel file. One was for failing to perform his job properly when he failed to prepare the ballots for mailing. Another was for “disrupting the work environment”. Packard also received a reprimand for missing a statuary deadline to certify a local election and for failing to make the “required number of site visits in accordance with a settlement agreement.” Here is the document. We removed the cover pages that were provided. Ed Packard’s Demotion In 2017, Chief of Staff David Brewer recommended Packard be demoted because of his “failure to manage his staff” and for his poor judgment concerning incorrect ballots that were sent for certification and for printing incorrect ballots. One was for “failing to perform his job properly when he did not prepare the ballots for mailing.” The email that was released to the press emphasizes the seriousness of these reprimands but also stated that these are merely the tip of the iceberg. According to the second document, titled “Ed Packard’s Dismissal,” Packard used his announcement of Secretary of State to help cover up credible allegations of sexual harassment that were going to scheduled for the same day. In December 2021, Packard was scheduled for a pre-dismissal hearing for allegations of sharing pornography on a cell phone, along with other allegations. Packard has stated publicly that he resigned from the SOS office on December 28th, 2021 at 5 pm in order to pursue running for Secretary of State. However, he was actually scheduled for a pre-dismissal hearing due to credible allegations of sexual harassment inside the Secretary of State’s office at 1 pm that same day. Secretary of State John Merrill, as well as other staff members, appear to confirm the allegations are real. Ed Packard’s Dismissal The email with these documents were sent to Party Chairman John Wahl. Additionally, the email alluded to the “Montgomery Swamp” and how more people currently in and running for office have secrets that are yet to be exposed.
Jim Zeigler releases first TV ad of Secretary of State campaign: “The Watchman”
The first TV ad of the quiet race for Secretary of State has been released by the Jim Zeigler campaign. Titled “The Watchman,” the 30-second spot began running on statewide TV May 3, exactly three weeks till the primary May 24. Here is the text of the Zeigler ad: Why are the Montgomery politicians fighting against Jim Zeigler? Because Zeigler will be Secretary of State for the people, not for the Montgomery politicians. As State Auditor, Zeigler served as your Watchman against waste and corruption. As Secretary of State, Zeigler can serve as your Watchman against voting fraud, drop-in ballot boxes, and ballot harvesting. Zeigler has been endorsed by the ‘MyPillow Guy” Mike Lindell, who heads a national group fighting for election integrity named “Cause for America.” Zeigler is term-limited and cannot run again for State Auditor. Secretary of State is an open seat with incumbent Secretary John Merrill not running for any office this year. “Over the next eight years, the job of Secretary of State will be vital,” Zeigler stated. “The Secretary of State is our top elections administrator. We face national attempts to manipulate honest election procedures. Alabama needs a proven fighter against government overreach to be our fighting Secretary of State.” The four Republican candidates for Secretary of State are Rep. Wes Allen of Troy, businessman Christian Horn of Huntsville, retired Secretary of State staffer Ed Packard of Prattville, and Zeigler.
Jim Zeigler: Secretary of State now third most important race on ballot
The May 24 Republican primary is now only four weeks off. The race for the open seat of Secretary of State is now “third most important on the ballot,” according to Secretary of State candidate Jim Zeigler. He says only the governor’s race and the U.S. Senate race are more important. Zeigler pointed out that the races for Lt. Governor, State Treasurer, and Agricultural Commissioner have no opposition and will not even appear on the primary ballot. “We have a hot race for the U.S. Senate to replace retiring Sen. Richard Shelby. There are a slew of candidates opposing Gov. Kay Ivey. After those two, the big race is one that is normally quiet – Secretary of State,” Zeigler stated. “Over the next eight years, the job of Secretary of State will be vital. The Secretary of State is our top elections administrator. We face national attempts to manipulate honest election procedures. Alabama needs a proven fighter against government overreach to be our fighting Secretary of State,” Zeigler continued. Zeigler argued that with his experience as Alabama State Auditor, he is uniquely qualified for the Secretary of State position. “As your State Auditor, I led the fight against waste, mismanagement, and corruption. As your Secretary of State, I can apply that same approach to fight the manipulation of our elections,” said Zeigler. “As your State Auditor, some people called me ‘the watchman.’ I will continue as your watchman over the election process as Secretary of State.” The three other Republican candidates for Secretary of State are Rep. Wes Allen of Troy, businessman Christian Horn of Huntsville, and retired Secretary of State staffer Ed Packard of Prattville.
MyPillow’s Mike Lindell endorses Jim Zeigler for Alabama Secretary of State
The quiet race for Secretary of State in Alabama has gained some attention. Mike Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow, has endorsed Jim Zeigler for Secretary of State. Lindell is a major supporter of former President Donald Trump and the founder of Cause of America, a citizen group promoting election integrity. Lindell issued a press release endorsing Zeigler, lauding Zeigler’s election integrity. “The people of Alabama need a Secretary of State who will stand firm in the fight for election integrity and be a protector of the people’s vote, Lindell stated. “Alabama needs a proven leader and a proven fighter with a history of standing up to the political establishment. After considering the field of candidates in Alabama, I am announcing my full and complete endorsement of Jim Zeigler for Secretary of State.” Zeigler is the current State Auditor but is term-limited and is in his final year of eight years as Auditor. He is running for the seat being left by outgoing Secretary of State John Merrill, who is not running for any office this year. Zeigler responded to the endorsement, stating that the position is vital for election procedures. “Over the next eight years, the job of Secretary of State will be vital. We face national attempts to manipulate honest election procedures. Alabama needs a proven fighter against government overreach to be our fighting Secretary of State,” Zeigler commented. “We face attempts to allow non-citizens to vote. Jim Zeigler will fight against that. Only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections.” “As your State Auditor, I led the fight against waste, mismanagement, and corruption. As your Secretary of State, I can apply that same approach to fight the manipulation of our elections,” Zeigler continued. “As your State Auditor, some people called me ‘the watchman.’ I will continue as your watchman over the election process as Secretary of State.” “Election integrity may be the most important single issue. The reason is this: If we lose our ability to elect or defeat officials, then all other issues will have lost accountability to the people. We would have government of the manipulators, by the manipulators, and for the manipulators. A vote for Jim Zeigler is a vote against election by manipulation.” Zeigler earned a degree in Public Administration from the University of Alabama and paid his way through college as the janitor in the old Student Union Building and playing in an oldies band. He played trumpet in the University’s Million Dollar Band and debated on the intercollegiate debate team. He served on the University Athletic Committee with legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. Zeigler’s wife Jackie is the elected State Board of Education member from the First District — eight counties of south Alabama. She successfully led the banning of Critical Race Theory in Alabama schools. She has been a consistent vote to repeal Common Core. Along with Zeigler, the other Republican candidates for Secretary of State are Rep. Wes Allen of Troy, businessman Christian Horn of Huntsville, retired Secretary of State staffer Ed Packard of Prattville. The Republican primary is May 24.
Ed Packard expresses concern about Alabama legislature failing to pass election integrity bills
Ed Packard, Republican Party candidate for Secretary of State, expressed concern about the Alabama Legislature’s failure to pass SB46, SB249, and HB204, election integrity bills introduced in its 2022 Regular Session. Packard released the following commentary in a press release. “The Alabama Legislature’s failure to enact these three bills concerns me,” Mr. Packard exclaimed. “I understandthat the State Senate and State House had many issues of serious concern before them during the legislative sessionthat ended this past week. These bills were no different. Given the concerns of Alabama voters about electionintegrity and confidence in our election system, especially since the 2020 presidential election, it is a gravedisservice to the good people of Alabama to not pass this legislation into state law.” SB46, sponsored by state Senator Clyde Chambliss (R-Autauga, Chilton, Coosa, Elmore, and Tallapoosa Counties),would have prohibited Alabama’s electronic voting machines from being equipped with technology that wouldpermit remote connections to those ballot tabulators. The technologies banned by the bill include Wi-Fi, Ethernet,Bluetooth, Near Field Communications, and any similar technologies. “Not just since 2020, but even before that, Alabamians have been concerned with the potential for hacking ourvoting machines,” Mr. Packard explained. “Some will tell you our voting machines cannot be hacked. However,any computerized device can be hacked if a person knows how to program software or firmware and if that personhas access to the voting machines, especially the flash drives that contain the instructions for how the votingmachines count ballots.” “While our counties do a great job of physically securing our voting machines, state law does not prohibit thosevoting machines from being accessed through the Internet or other attack vectors, such as Bluetooth technology,”Mr. Packard, a 24+ year veteran of the Secretary of State’s office continued. “As a former member of the AlabamaElectronic Voting Committee, I and my colleagues on that committee voted to not approve for use in Alabama anyvoting machines that contain technology for accessing those devices remotely. Unfortunately, state law does notprohibit those technologies from being installed in our voting machines. And now, the leadership in the AlabamaHouse of Representative has signaled they are not concerned about that fact and that they are not aligned with somany Alabamians who are concerned about the security of our voting machines.” Mr. Packard noted that Senator Chambliss’ bill had cleared the Alabama Senate and came out of committee in theAlabama House of Representatives and was due for a floor vote as early as day 12 of the legislative session. Whenthe Legislature adjourned last week, the leadership of the Alabama House had not brought SB46 up for finalconsideration by that body’s members. SB249, sponsored by state Senator Sam Givhan (R-Madison County), identified new election crimes and clarifiedlanguage in the Code of Alabama regarding current election crimes. “Passage of this bill by the AlabamaLegislature would have continued the important work of rooting out election fraud and promoting and strengtheningthe confidence of Alabamians in our elections,” Mr. Packard explained. “SB249 could have been better,” Mr. Packard stated. “I encouraged Senator Givhan and other members of the stateSenate and House to amend this legislation. The legislation should have punished anyone who commits a felonyelection crime with the loss of their voting rights. Unfortunately, this legislation was postponed indefinitely in theAlabama Senate, so it was not passed in its original form or with this stern punishment for actions that undermineour representative democratic form of government.” HB204, sponsored by state Representative Tommy Hanes (R-Jackson and DeKalb Counties), would have addressedthe concerns of many Alabamians who wanted the 2020 general election in Alabama to be audited, given concernsthat have arisen nationally regarding voter fraud and malfeasance. “There is obviously a public interest in ensuring that Alabamians’ have confidence in our elections,” Mr. Packardclaimed. “Auditing elections is one process that can help maintain or strengthen voters’ confidence.” “As I have reported previously,” Mr. Packard continued, “Alabama is one of only a handful of states that does notrequire or permit audits of our elections. As I have stated during my campaign for Secretary of State, I believe thatthe Alabama Legislature should require audits for all elections.” “Unfortunately, HB204 languished in the Legislature since its introduction on February 2, 2022,” Packardobserved. “Alabamians may have varying opinions as to whether the 2020 general election should be audited orabout how that audit should be conducted. However, the appropriate legislative committees should have broughtHB204 up for consideration and let those opinions be examined in the bright light of day.” The Alabama Legislature did give final passage to HB194 sponsored by Representative Wes Allen (R-Dale and PikeCounties). The legislation is now awaiting Governor Kay Ivey’s signature. This bill prohibits state and localelection officials from soliciting, accepting, using, or disposing of certain donations from people or nongovernmentalentities for utilization in election administration in Alabama. “I agree that interest groups, including those from out of state, should not be permitted to inject money or materialgoods into Alabama elections with the intent to corruptly influence the conduct of elections in Alabama,” Mr.Packard stated. “However, I’m unsure why this legislation was given preferential treatment over the very substantiveconcerns addressed by SB46, SB249, and HB204.” “I am further concerned that Representative Allen’s bill seems to be based on the presumption that Alabama’selection officials at the state, county, and municipal levels are inclined to be corrupted by the donations prohibitedHB194,” Mr. Packard suggested. “I have worked with Alabama’s elections officials at all levels of government for29 years, with over 24 of those years while as a staff member of the Secretary of State’s office. Generally speaking,I have found Alabama’s probate judges, absentee election managers, sheriffs, and registrars, to be above reproach.”“If anyone has information or evidence that a state, county, or city election official has violated any state law thatgoverns the conduct of our elections, they should bring that information or evidence to light. They should reportthat malfeasance to the Attorney General or their local District Attorney,” Mr. Packard challenged. “If there’s bad behavior out there that needs addressed, let’s not only tighten up our laws on that
Jim Zeigler’s Watchman Program” endorsed by opponent Ed Packard
In an unusual political development, a program announced Wednesday by Secretary of State candidate Jim Zeigler has gained the support of opponent Ed Packard. Zeigler gave a speech in Troy Wednesday and released his plan, the “Watchman Program.” In it, Zeigler, as Secretary of State, would recruit citizen volunteers to serve as poll watchers in each polling place. He would also conduct training sessions for the poll watchers. In a statement Thursday, Packard said, “I support what I know of Mr. Zeigler’s plan to increase the number of poll watchers around the state.” “However, Alabamians who wish to help ensure the integrity of elections in Alabama need not wait for a future Secretary of State to recruit and train them. They can join now with a candidate of their choice – whether it is me, Mr. Zeigler, or any one of the hundreds of other candidates for federal, state, and county offices – and be appointed as that candidate’s poll watcher,” Packard concluded. Packard is a 25-year veteran staffer in the Secretary of State’s office before retiring on December 31. Zeigler says he is glad to have support for his plan. Also running for Secretary of State are Rep. Wes Allen of Troy and businessman Christian Horn of Huntsville.
Steve Flowers: Incumbency prevails in secondary constitutional offices
Incumbency is a potent, powerful, inherent advantage in politics. That fact is playing out to the nines in this year’s Alabama secondary constitutional and down ballot races. Several of the constitutional office incumbents do not have Republican or Democratic opposition. Of course, having a Democratic opponent is the same as not having an opponent in a statewide race in Alabama. A Democrat cannot win in a statewide contest in the Heart of Dixie. Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth will be elected to a second four-year term without opposition. He will be waiting in the wings to follow Kay Ivey as Governor. Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate will be reelected without opposition. He has done a good job in this important state post. State Treasurer Young Boozer is running unopposed for another four-year term. He does an excellent job and is uniquely qualified for the Treasurer’s job. State Supreme Court Justice Kelli Wise is running for reelection unopposed. Kelli is popular and is a good jurist. She is home free for six more years on the state’s high tribunal. Attorney General Steve Marshall has token opposition in his run for reelection. One Republican and one Democrat qualified against Marshall. However, he will coast to reelection. There are two seats up for election on the Alabama Public Service Commission. There are three seats on this regulatory panel. The President of the PSC runs in a presidential year. Twinkle Cavanaugh is President and pretty much runs the ship. The two incumbents are Jeremy Oden and Chip Beeker. Oden has two unknown Republican opponents. Beeker has two opponents in the GOP Primary. One has some name identification, who has run before. Beeker and Oden will probably win reelection. There are only three hotly contested and interesting secondary statewide races. That is because these three posts are open without an incumbent on the scene. Popular Supreme Court Justice Mike Bolin, the former Probate Judge of Jefferson County, is term-limited by an antiquated law that prohibits a judge from running for the court after age 70. There are two qualified candidates seeking to follow Judge Bolin. Birmingham Defense Attorney Greg Cook is facing Anniston Circuit Judge Debra Jones. Cook appears to be the favorite to win. It is apparent that the business community in the state is backing Cook. He has also been endorsed by the Alabama Farmers Federation. The latest campaign finance reports reveal Cook has $552,000 to spend compared to Jones’s $15,000. The State Auditors position is open. Jim Ziegler has served his eight-year stint. This will be an interesting three-man race for this benign position. Former Mobile State Representative and State Senator Rusty Glover is facing Muscle Shoals State Representative Andrew Sorrell and Jefferson County Pastor Stan Cooke. All three are getting out and working the state. The race to succeed John Merrill as Secretary of State will be a good race. Merrill is term-limited after eight years. State Auditor Jim Ziegler is wanting to move next door in the Capitol and become Secretary of State. Because of his name identification advantage, Ziegler will be favored to win the race. However, he will get a significant challenge from State Representative Wes Allen. Young Wes Allen has been running for over a year and has a good many significant endorsements, including Alfa. He has an impressive resume having served a decade as Probate Judge of Pike County and four years as a State Representative. He also has two home bases. He has lived and served in office in Troy in Southeast Alabama and was born and raised in Tuscaloosa, where his father, Gerald Allen, has been a long-time State Senator. Ed Packard, who has run the Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s office for decades, is also running. He is very well qualified. The aforementioned current Secretary of State, John Merrill, is not seeking any elective office in 2022, even though he is still relatively young. I have said this before, and it holds true today, Merrill is currently the best and most prolific retail politician in the state and one of the best I have seen in Alabama. He has a real grassroots organization in Alabama. He is literally everywhere. Even though he is not on the ballot running this year, he is outworking every candidate mentioned in this column. You have not heard the last of John Merrill. See you next week. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama Newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Ed Packard announces run for Secretary of State
Prattville resident Ed Packard has announced his candidacy for the office of Secretary of State. Packard is a 24-year employee of the Alabama Secretary of State’s office and served as state election director from 2013-2017. The Auburn alum was previously elected to the Autauga County Republican Executive Committee. Packard ran for secretary of state in 2006 as a Democrat but lost to incumbent Nancy Worley in the primary. Packard proposed implementing post-election audits for all elections in Alabama, noting it’s one of the most important tasks of the position. Alabama is currently only one of six states that doesn’t require post-election audits of any type. “Alabama’s voters expect and are due the ability to vote in elections that are free and fair, ” Packard said in a statement. “Alabamians should not have to be concerned about whether our elections have integrity and credibility. We election administrators should faithfully implement the rules by which elections are held. And to ensure that is done, the Alabama Legislature should provide for post-election audits of all elections in the State of Alabama.” Packard also said he supports Alabama’s requirement that voters show photo identification to cast a ballot. However, he also said he supports allowing voters with certain disabilities to return ballots online. Secretary of State John Merrill demoted Packard in 2017 after nearly 3 million ballots had to be reprinted for the November election to add language that was omitted from an amendment to the Alabama constitution. The mistake cost the secretary of state’s office $459,690.80. Merrill is term-limited from seeking reelection in 2022. Rep. Wes Allen is the only other candidate vying for the Republican nomination. The primaries are set for May 24.
