Secretary of state candidates Caroleene Dobson and Andrew Sorrell each filed their August campaign finance reports with the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office this week, providing a look at their financial positions heading into September.
Dobson entered the month of August with $670,489 in her campaign account. She reported raising $40,125 in contributions and spending $63,347, leaving her with $647,266 on hand.
Her contributions came from both individuals and political committees. The largest donations included $5,000 from the ABC Merit PAC of Birmingham. She also reported $2,500 from the Montgomery law firm Beasley Allen. Some $1,000 contributions came from Goodwyn Mills and Cawood PAC, Tom Coker and Associates and former Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange.
Dobson’s spending focused heavily on advertising and consulting. Convergence Media received $49,299 for advertising services, while Cardinal Consulting Group was paid $11,117.
Other expenses included sponsorships with the Alabama Republican Party, the Cullman County Republican Party, the Jefferson County Republican Party and the Eagle Forum of Alabama.
Sorrell’s report shows a significantly smaller scale of fundraising and spending. He began the month with $309,409 in cash on hand, raised $4,963, and spent $12,990, ending August with $301,882 left.
His largest reported contribution in August was $3,000 from Caribe Realty, Inc., a realty company in Orange Beach. Smaller amounts from individuals across the southeast ranged from $15 to $521.
Sorrell’s spending focused primarily on administrative and consulting services. Sorrell received loan repayments and reimbursements totaling $8,699 for administrative purposes. Nearly $4,000 in funding went to AZBell Communications LLC, Lighthouse Policy Advisors and Brad Pressnal for consulting services. Smaller expenditures were made for advertising and fundraising tools, including GoDaddy at $66 and Anedot at $74.
Both candidates continue to position themselves for what is expected to be a competitive Republican primary for secretary of state. With nearly $650,000 in the bank, Dobson enters the fall with a financial advantage. Sorrell’s campaign, although smaller in terms of monetary resources, remains active and has garnered support from conservative grassroots groups.
The next round of filings, due in October, will show whether Dobson maintains her fundraising momentum and whether Sorrell can close the financial gap.
