Caroleene Dobson announced her candidacy for Secretary of State in the 2026 Republican primary on Thursday.
A native of Beatrice, Dobson was born and raised on her family's farm in Monroe County. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College and graduated from the Baylor University School of Law. Dobson lost to U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Prichard) in a Congressional District 2 race in 2024.
"As Secretary of State, I will reduce fees on Alabama businesses, streamline services for the public, and I will never back down from the liberal activist groups who want to undermine the security of our elections," Dobson said.
Dobson is a shareholder at Maynard Nexsen, specializing in natural resources, commercial finance and real estate law in Montgomery.
"As a mother, I understand that without secure elections, my daughters won't grow up in the same country that I did," Dobson said. "In Alabama, we have great laws on the books, but there is always room to improve the enforcement of those laws."
Dobson has pledged to replicate the Florida Election Crimes and Division model in Alabama, saying, "Alabama has some of the finest law enforcement officers and prosecutors in the nation. I want to enhance their ability to bring cases by having a dedicated team of election experts who can investigate voter fraud claims proactively on the ground."
Dobson continued, "On the national level, I will advocate for President Trump's commonsense election reforms. I will also leverage my legal experience to fight back against out-of-state activists who are constantly attempting to use the courts to undermine our election security measures."
If elected, Dobson pledged to prioritize election security enforcement, make Alabama the national leader in business incorporation, reduce fees on businesses and entrepreneurs, and pass statewide post-election audit legislation.
"Small businesses, farmers, truck drivers, and others depend on timely and efficient services to put food on their families' tables," said Dobson. "I am committed to ensuring same-day business services so Alabama's economy can thrive, and I have also pledged to reduce fees on businesses looking to operate in our state. I want to collaborate with legislators, cabinet members, business leaders, or anyone else who wants to make Alabama the number one destination for businesses looking to incorporate. We need to be innovative about building a more prosperous future for our state."
Dobson joins Alabama State Auditor Andrew Sorrell in the Republican primary to be Alabama's next Secretary of State. Another name that has been discussed as a possible entry into the race for Secretary of State is assistant U.S. Attorney and business owner Lloyd Peeples.
"I've spoken to individuals that have encouraged me to enter the SOS race, but at this time I've not made any decisions," Peeples said.
Current Secretary of State Wes Allen is running for lieutenant governor in 2026.
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