Jasper businessman Mike Elliott’s special election campaign for House District 13 started off strong but came to an abrupt ending this week when he was told he would be removed from the ballot for failing to meet the deadline to turn in his Statement of Economic Interest (SOEI) with the State Ethics Commission.
Elliott issued a message to his supporters and would-be opponents: “As a coach, I’ve told my players that you can’t always control how the rules are enforced, but you can control the way you respond to that enforcement. That’s why I want the entirety of District 13 to know without a shadow of a doubt that I fully intend to be on the Republican ballot on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.”
“I submitted everything required to run for state office promptly, and, unfortunately, my statement of economic interest form never arrived as it should have to the Alabama Ethics Commission,” Elliott explained in a written statement addressing the status of his campaign. “I can’t control the postal service, and that’s alright,” he continued.
SEE: Ethics Commission opinion may make Mike Elliott ineligible for HD 13 special election
Elliott is not the first person to be removed from the ballot for administrative reasons.
Yellowhammer News reported in July 2024: “In the Birmingham area alone, 13 Jefferson County candidates removed by the Alabama Secretary of State violated this law. Candidates in Bibb, Perry, Tuscaloosa, and Montgomery counties have also been barred from seeking election. Nine candidates in Walker County and two in Alexander City were also barred from seeking election due to their failure to submit an economic interest form.”
Elliott said, “In this process, it would be easy to blame folks, but that’s not my character. What I’m most disappointed about is the fact that the hardworking people of Walker County had their voice and voting power taken away from them."
Before being removed from the ballot, Elliott earned the endorsement of FarmPAC, the political arm of the Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA).
His website and social media posts centered on his experience as a schoolteacher, promising to uphold conservative values.
"He's committed to protecting families from high taxes and growing small businesses, ensuring District 13 has high-paying job opportunities and is a place where folks want to raise their families and worship," a recent Facebook post read.
“Walker countians should have an honest broker in Montgomery that’s always looking out for their best interests and representing their Walker County values without hesitation. I know that I am that candidate. I’m not going to pretend that I’m someone I’m not in this process or portray an image of myself that doesn’t align with my core beliefs,” Elliott said in his statement.
Hw concluded, saying, “I will continue to be a public servant and fight for your values and your voice. And come May 19, 2026, I’ll follow through on the promises I have made during my campaign and stick to the core issues that help Walker County families. We have a great community filled with wonderful people, and I want to continue making a positive impact on our community and for our people. I can’t do that without your continued support. It will be my sincerest honor and privilege to serve as your elected official for the next four years once we win the May 2026 Republican primary.”
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