On Monday, Alabama State Auditor Andrew Sorrell said that he would be dropping his 2026 bid for secretary of state, choosing instead to run for reelection as state auditor.
Sorrell clarified his decision in a statement provided to APR.
“I’ve determined that I can best serve my fellow Alabamians by giving them an experienced and committed state auditor with a proven track record of defending taxpayers and protecting the dollars they send to Montgomery,” Sorrell said. “I’ll continue fighting for accountability in state government and promoting the values that earned me national recognition as the most conservative official in the Alabama State House.”
Sorrell’s decision to seek reelection will bring a new level of uncertainty to what was previously a relatively straightforward race between political newcomers Derek Chen and Josh Pendergrass.
Sorrell’s bid could prove especially worrisome for Chen, who has been the clear frontrunner up until this point after pouring hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own personal wealth into his campaign.
“I am not running for auditor as a fallback plan or for a paycheck,” Chen told APR after learning of Sorrell’s decision to seek reelection. “Three years ago, I knew that the auditor’s office needed an upgrade and I knew that I could provide it. I am running because I know I can deliver real results, and that is even more true today.”
“I have been humbled by the support and momentum our campaign has built, and I look forward to earning the people of Alabama’s vote on Election Day,” he said.
Pendergrass’s campaign did not respond to APR’s request for comment on Sorrell reentering the race.
Sorrell, Chen and Pendergrass are now set to face off in the Republican primary on May 19, 2026. Meanwhile, Caroleene Dobson is expected to qualify as the clear GOP frontrunner for secretary of state with Sorrell now out of the race.
