The Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) has endorsed Derek Chen for Alabama State Auditor.
Chen is a Vestavia Hills attorney and an activist in the Alabama Republican Party.
He is running for the open seat of auditor being left by incumbent Andrew Sorrell, who is running for the open seat of Alabama Secretary of State.
The primary is May 19, 2026, and the general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
Chen is opposed by two Republicans. Josh Pendergrass is a Prattville attorney and former communications director for Gov. Kay Ivey. Robert McCollum is the owner of a land management and dumpster business in Dadeville and ran twice for the Alabama Public Service Commission but fell short.
Chen earned a juris doctorate from Birmingham’s Cumberland School of Law and a master’s in business administration from the University of Alabama. He practiced law in Jefferson County before announcing for State Auditor.
Chen is a first-generation U.S. citizen and the son of Taiwanese parents who legally immigrated to the United States to escape the ever-present threat from Communist China.
In its endorsement, AFA stated, “Chen has a deep appreciation for the fundamental rights provided by the US Constitution and the importance of fighting to protect those rights in the face of an ever-expanding federal government.”
“As a long-time member of AFA, we have seen Derek’s conservative values in action,” said Chris Isaacson, AFA president and CEO. “Those conservative values and his commitment to serve make him the right person for the job, and we look forward to working with Derek as State Auditor.”
In response to the AFA endorsement, Chen said, “The Alabama Forestry Association’s commitment to stewardship is what responsible leadership looks like. As one of Alabama’s largest industries, I’m honored to have their endorsement for State Auditor and will always work to support the hardworking men and women in the forestry industry.”
The official description of AFA states:
The Alabama Forestry Association represents Alabama’s forestry community with membership that includes forest products manufacturers, landowners, loggers, wood dealers, foresters, consultants, and others involved in forestry. AFA is dedicated to protecting and improving the business, regulatory and legal environment for landowners and forest business owners to ensure the sustainable growth of Alabama’s forests and forest industry. Forests cover more than two-thirds of the state and provide raw material for Alabama’s second largest manufacturing industry. Forestry provides $36 billion total economic output to the state’s economy.
To learn more, visit: here.
For Derek Chen’s information, visit: here.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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