Only 3% separated State Rep. Wes Allen (R-Troy) and State Auditor Jim Zeigler in the GOP primary contest to determine who will replace term-limited Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill as the state’s chief elections official.
Zeigler, who is term-limited in his current capacity as state auditor, garnered 42.69% of the vote in the May 24 primary election. Allen finished well above the rest of the field to secure a spot on the June 21 runoff as he earned 39.7% of all votes cast.
Conservative activist Chris Horn and former Alabama elections administrator Ed Packard finished with 9.8% and 7.81% of the vote, respectively.
As of the most recent Alabama Secretary of State campaign finance report filing, Allen holds a significant cash-on-hand advantage over Zeigler.
Allen’s campaign finance report shows that the former Pike County probate judge holds a $107,769 cash balance entering the three-week stretch into the runoff election, which is tenfold the amount of Zeigler’s $10,803.
During the month of May, Allen outraised Zeigler $172,175 to $77,158. Of Allen’s 84 different donation sources last month, 17 derived from PACs, whereas of Zeigler’s 30 donors, 15 were from PACs.
As exposure from advertising will be play a major role in turning out the vote in a runoff, which typically experiences a significant drop off in participants compared to a primary election, dollars that the campaigns have at their disposal to utilize for paid media will be crucial.
According to polling conducted in January, Zeigler held a 20% lead over Allen four months out from the May 24 primary election. However, Allen’s fundraising ability allowed the freshman lawmaker to come within striking distance of Zeigler on Election Day.
Throughout the entirety of the race, Allen raised $443,090 compared to Zeigler’s $115,095. Additionally, the secretary of state hopeful received 588 donations from 406 different donors throughout the course of his campaign.
In a statement provided to Yellowhammer News outlining his financial standing headed into the runoff election, Allen advised that his grassroots efforts would not cease until Republican voters head to the polls for a final time.
“I am honored to be supported by so many Alabamians from all parts of the state but I am not resting,” pledged Allen. “I will work until the polls close on June 21 to get my message out to voters as to why I am the only candidate with the qualifications and experience to be Alabama’s next Secretary of State.”
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
