Former Republican Party chairman John Wahl handily defeated Secretary of State Wes Allen in the primary runoff. Wahl, a first-time candidate, secured the endorsement of President Donald Trump early on in the campaign.
The AP called the race around 9:31 pm with 82% of the votes in; Wahl received 57% of the vote (156,587) to Allen's 42.8% (117,342).
State Auditor Andrew Sorrell introduced Wahl at his watch party. He began by highlighting that Wahl had his fiancee Brittany Montgomery by his side, noting that she'd be the second lady. He went on to detail his and Wahl's long history of working together on conservative policies.
“I am not surprised to see him as the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor,” Sorrell said.
Wahl interrupted, saying, “I am.”
“From the time I met him, I knew he was going to go on to do special things. But you know who is surprised? Montgomery. They don't understand how a butterfly farmer is headed to the Capitol. Because they don't understand us.”
He went on to say, “I've worked a lot of elections, and every single one of them, I learned something new. This cycle was no different. This cycle, I learned that never, under any circumstance, should your campaign talking points be delivered in a TV commercial by an AI talking raccoon,” he said before introducing Wahl, “the world’s most famous butterfly farmer, Ramadan John.”
Wahl began his remarks by giving thanks.
“First and foremost, I'm grateful to my Lord Jesus. My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That is the basis for what I do.”
“The people of Alabama sent a message, a sign that they are tired of career politicians They’re tired of unelected bureaucrats, thinking they know how to live our life better than we do. And they were looking for freedom. They're looking for a candidate who's going to go to Montgomery, who's going to drain the swamp, who's going to fight for what's right and not back down. Yeah. And that is my commitment to you and the people of Alabama.”
Noting that he was wearing his Trump jacket.
“I'm giving a little bit of honor and a little bit of thanks to President Donald Trump. He has been a tremendous ally and supporter.”
He recalled the Trump Truth Social post encouraging him to run and gave special thanks to his team and supporters.
“I could not have done it without my family, without so many friends, so many of you, but especially, I could not have done it without Britney Montgomery. She has been by my side. Every minute of this, she quit her job.
He detailed his time as party chair prioritizing school choice, parental rights, fighting for lower taxes, fewer regulations, and common sense.
“So my charge to every one of you is keep me accountable. I see so many elected officials who go to Montgomery to go to DC, and they get stuck in what I call the ‘Montgomery bubble,’ the ‘DC bubble’. That is not me. Yeah, not going to be me, and I want to stay the grassroots guy, the farm boy from Limestone County.”
RELATED: Trump touts support for John Wahl in LG race — 'He has my complete and total endorsement'
"I am proud of the campaign I have run over the past 18 months. I have built relationships with amazing people from all corners of the state of Alabama. Voters deserve candidates who travel the entire state and make themselves available in every community from the mountains of North Alabama to the peanut fields of the Wiregrass to the beaches of the Gulf Coast. I have listened to Alabamians, responded to their concerns and taken in their ideas for making the state the best it can be for our children and grandchildren," Allen said in a statement. "I will continue to work hard as Alabama's 54th Secretary of State and it is my honor to continue to serve in that role until January, 2027."
Wahl will face New York native, outgoing State Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) in the November general election.
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