John Wahl’s campaign for lieutenant governor announced Thursday that it raised more than $500,000 during the first week after Wahl, R-Alabama, finished first in the Republican primary—a fundraising total the campaign said reflects growing momentum heading into a runoff against Secretary of State Wes Allen, R-Alabama.
According to the campaign, Wahl raised more than $475,000 in direct contributions in the first week after the primary. The campaign also said an additional $50,000 has been committed in independent expenditures from the American Principles Project.
By comparison, Wahl’s campaign said Allen raised $197,375 during the same period following the primary.
Wahl, the former chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, finished ahead of the Republican field in the primary for lieutenant governor but did not secure the nomination outright. He now faces Allen, who finished second, in a runoff to determine the party’s nominee.
Alabama Daily News reported that Wahl and Allen advanced to the runoff after the Republican primary, with Wahl leading the field and Allen finishing second. WAFF also reported that the two candidates are headed to a runoff in the Republican lieutenant governor race. Allen launched his campaign for lieutenant governor in 2025, after serving as Alabama’s chief elections official.
The Wahl campaign pointed to the fundraising haul as evidence that conservative donors, grassroots activists and Republican voters are coalescing behind his candidacy in the days after the primary.
“This campaign has never been about the political establishment. It has always been about the people of Alabama,” Wahl said in a statement. “I am humbled by the incredible support we have received since election night. Voters sent a clear message in the primary, and now donors, grassroots conservatives, and supporters across the state are stepping up to help us finish the job.”
The Wahl campaign has framed his candidacy around lower taxes, limited government, parental rights and conservative leadership in Montgomery. The campaign said the post-primary fundraising surge further positions Wahl as the candidate with momentum heading into the runoff.
Wahl’s first-place finish demonstrated his strength with Republican voters statewide, but the runoff against Allen will test whether that support can consolidate in a head-to-head contest. The rapid fundraising in the days that followed gives Wahl’s campaign additional resources for advertising, voter contact and turnout efforts in the closing stretch of the race.
“Our campaign is united, energized, and ready for the fight ahead,” Wahl said. “Alabama needs a lieutenant governor who will stand up for working families, fight to cut taxes, defend our freedoms, protect our children, and never back down from our conservative values. That is exactly what I will do.”
The runoff will determine the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.
