Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen financed a candidate challenge of former Alabama Republican Party (ALGOP) chairman John Wahl in January.
Both Allen and Wahl are candidates in the May 19 Republican primary to be Alabama's next lieutenant governor.
The Allen campaign paid the Al Agricola Law Firm $20,000 on January 26, according to a January campaign finance filing. Agricola then filed a candidate challenge against Wahl on behalf of former State Rep. Gil Isbell on January 30.
Isbell confirmed to 1819 News on Monday that the Allen campaign bankrolled Wahl's challenge.
"This was a joint effort of seeking the truth," Isbell said.
Isbell's unsuccessful candidate challenge questioned whether Wahl met the residency requirements to serve as Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. Wahl has said the challenge was based on misinformation and lies.
Wahl would've been removed from the Republican primary ballot if the challenge had been successful. However, the ALGOP steering committee narrowly rejected Isbell's challenge against Wahl in February.
When asked about the $20,000 campaign expenditure to Agricola, Allen told 1819 News in a statement on Monday, "From day one I have been outspoken about my disdain for the fact that Nehemiah "John" Wahl voted with an ID that was not state issued, held a TN Driver's License, registered to vote in TN and simultaneously registered to vote and voted in Alabama using a name that was not legally his."
"I have issued public statements and made a video to expose these issues. I have reported every expenditure with full transparency," Allen said. "Yet, the question still remains: why did Wahl register to vote in two different states under two different names and why did he vote in Alabama using a name that was not legally his? Those are the answers voters deserve to know."
Wahl said in a statement to 1819 News on Monday, "I am deeply disappointed to learn that my opponent's campaign funded the ballot challenge against me."
"This is the same kind of lawfare and misuse of the legal system we saw used against President Donald Trump, weaponizing the political process in an attempt to disqualify opponents instead of letting voters decide," Wahl said. "This was never about an honest challenge or the law. It was about eliminating competition. If you believe you're the best candidate, make your case to the people. Run on your record. Don't mislead the public and try to disqualify your opponent. I am committed to running my race and speaking directly to voters about how I plan to make Alabama better."
In addition to Wahl and Allen, other candidates in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor include Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate, Nicole Wadsworth, Dr. Stewart Tankersley and Pat Bishop.
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