Alabama Senate incumbents had a good year in 2021 in the campaign fundraising category. The Alabama Secretary of State’s office released the December campaign finance reports on Wednesday and most of the incumbents entered 2022 in a strong financial position, based on cash on hand.
Money has never been more important in political races because of the proliferation of channels and outlets from which the public gets the news. Whether it is online news sites, TV stations, cable, radio, social media, direct mail, billboards, etc., candidates are placing more ads with more outlets than ever before to be seen, and the cost of running an effective campaign has never been higher.
Eight of the top 10 balances belong to Republican incumbents. All of the top 10 were Senate incumbents.
These are the Senate candidates ranked by cash on hand at the end of 2021.
Incumbent Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) entered 2022 with $861,598.59 representing Senate District 3 (SD3). Orr chairs the Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee.
Incumbent James T “Jabo” Waggoner Jr (R-Vestavia) $670,814 SD16. Waggoner chairs the Senate Rules Committee.
Incumbent Greg Reed (R-Jasper) $606,906.40 SD5. Reed is the Senate Pro Tem.
Incumbent Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville) $466,010.45 SD9. Scofield is the Senate Majority Leader.
Incumbent Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook) $462,593.80 SD15.
Incumbent Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) $411,717.66 SD24. Singleton is the Senate Minority Leader.
Incumbent Billy Beasley (D-Clayton) $395,679.29 SD28.
Incumbent David Sessions (R-Mobile) $379,040.70 SD35.
Incumbent Chris Elliott (R-Fairhope) $351,741.93 SD32.
Incumbent Greg Albritton (R-Atmore) $337,576.38 SD22. Albritton chairs the Senate Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee.
Incumbent Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) $337,551.86 SD7.
Incumbent Tim Melson (R-Florence) $329,140.97 SD1.
Incumbent Tom Whatley (R-Auburn) $317,981.87 SD27.
State Rep. Mike Jones (R-Andalusia) $303,207.88 who is running for the seat being vacated by retiring incumbent Jimmy Holley (R-Elba) SD31.
Incumbent April Weaver (R-Briarfield) $281,781.06 SD14.
Incumbent Jack Williams (R-Wilmer) $277,241.44 SD34.
Incumbent Will Barfoot (R-Montgomery) $258,871.21 SD25.
Incumbent Garlan Gudger Jr. (R-Cullman) $240,225.39 SD4.
Incumbent Randy Price (R-Opelika) $229,658.95 SD13.
Incumbent Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) $224,097.35 SD8.
Incumbent Andrew Jones (R-Centre) $204,393.05 SD10.
Incumbent Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville) $201,938.63 SD17.
Incumbent Tom Butler (R-Madison) $197,811.28 SD2.
Incumbent Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa) $178,664.75 SD21.
Incumbent Clyde Chambliss Jr. (R-Prattville) $174,626.95 SD30.
Incumbent Linda Coleman-Madison (D-Birmingham) $170,437.67 SD20.
Incumbent Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham) $169,136.64 SD18.
James T. Hovey Jr. is challenging Sen. Tom Whatley $147,600 SD27.
Incumbent Larry Stutts (R-Sheffield) $95,259.84 SD6.
Keith Kelley (R) is running for the seat being vacated by the retiring Del Marsh $76,843.30 SD12.
Everett Powell III (R) is challenging incumbent Gerald Allen $72,999.20 SD21.
Lance Bell (R) who is running for the seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Jim McClendon (R-Springville) $69,242.22 SD11.
State Rep. Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham) is running for seat being vacated by the retiring Priscilla Dunn (D-Bessemer) $51,244.15 SD19.
Wendy Ghee Draper (R) $42,034.66 is running for the seat vacated by the retiring Del Marsh (R-Anniston) SD12.
Joshua Carnley (R) is running for the seat being vacated by the retiring Sen. Jimmy Holley (R-Elba) $15,195.02 SD31.
Norman Horton (R) is running for the seat being vacated by the retiring Del Marsh (R-Anniston) $13,594.09 SD12.
Lisa Ward (D) who is challenging incumbent Gerald Allen $12,953.29 SD21.
Wayne Willis (R) is running for the seat being vacated by the retiring Del Marsh (R-Anniston) $5,859.31 SD12.
State Rep. Louise Alexander (D-Bessemer) is running for the seat being vacated by the retiring Priscilla Dunn (D-Bessemer) $1,330 SD19.
Mitchell Sims has dissolved his campaign committee $0.00 SD32.
Candidates who have raised less than $1,000 do not have to file a campaign finance report with the Alabama Secretary of State office.
Candidate qualifying for the two major parties will continue until Jan. 28 at 5 p.m.
The major party primaries will be on May 24.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
