Madison County Commissioner Violet Edwards announced her run Sunday for Alabama State Auditor on the Democratic ticket, citing her record of fiscal responsibility, operational oversight and commitment to accountable government.
First elected in 2020 and reelected in 2024, Edwards made history as the first Black woman to serve on the Madison County Commission. During her tenure, she has overseen county departments, managed public resources and guided investments in workforce development, senior services, food access and infrastructure. Her leadership has required careful budgeting, transparency and long-term planning, all skills she said aligns directly with the State Auditor’s office responsibilities.
“At a time when voters are demanding real accountability from the state government, the State Auditor’s office cannot be a passive role,” Edwards said. “The choice in this race will be between continuing business as usual or electing a leader who can bring independent oversight, transparency, and integrity back to how Alabama manages public assets.”
The Alabama State Auditor is a constitutional officer responsible for auditing the State Treasurer’s accounts, tracking state-owned property, and reporting on the handling of public assets and funds. As voters increasingly demand transparency and efficiency in state government, the office plays a critical role in ensuring that taxpayer dollars and state property are accurately accounted for and responsibly managed.
Edwards brings both public- and private-sector experience to oversight work. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Alabama and an MBA from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and previously worked in television and radio news, earning Associated Press awards for investigative and feature reporting. She later transitioned into community leadership and public service.
“Alabamians deserve more than to talk about efficiency; they deserve results. I’ve managed public money, made tough decisions, and delivered real outcomes. I’m running to bring that same discipline and transparency to the State Auditor’s office,” said Edwards.
As part of her work on the Madison County Commission, Edwards has served as the commission’s liaison to the Madison County Board of Registrars, advocating for professional standards, adequate staffing and fair compensation as county responsibilities expanded. She noted that while registrar appointments are one component of the Auditor’s duties, her broader focus is on strengthening public confidence through consistent oversight and sound administration.
Edwards also serves on the Association of County Commissions of Alabama’s Minority Steering Committee, which helped advance 2025 legislation aimed at standardizing registrar operations statewide and improving accountability across counties.
Edwards says the potential expansion of the Auditor’s authority further underscores the need for experienced, steady leadership in the role. “The State Auditor should work for the people, not the political system. When it comes to state property, it’s not about red or blue – it’s about your assets, your property, and where your tax dollars went.”
Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones welcomed Edwards’ announcement and praised her record of public service.
“I’m excited to welcome Commissioner Violet Edwards to the 2026 race for State Auditor. She burst on the political scene in 2020 and has quickly become an impactful leader not afraid to ask hard questions and work toward solutions. Her leadership in Madison County has shown a strong commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of public resources. Violet understands that public trust is earned, and Alabama will greatly benefit from her experience and steady leadership in this role.”
