John Wahl’s campaign for lieutenant governor raised more than $1 million in the 24-hours after it launched earlier this week, Wahl said late Wednesday night.
“This isn’t just about a number—it’s about what that number represents,” Wahl said in a written statement. “Alabamians are ready for bold, proven conservative leadership that will defend our Constitution, protect our God-given rights, rein in government overreach, and put hardworking families first. This early support shows that people know I will deliver—and that I won’t back down.”
Wahl announced his candidacy Tuesday after qualifying with the Alabama Republican Party on Friday, just before the deadline. On Thursday night, President Donald Trump endorsed Wahl, via social media, for the state’s second-highest office.
Details about all the contributions weren’t immediately available. Candidates will have to file their January fundraising reports on Tuesday. Major contributions — those over $20,000 — must be reported within two business days of receipt, per state law.
As of this morning, records available online show 10 major contributions from individuals and businesses totaling about $517,000. The largest is $250,000 from Christopher Drummond in Birmingham. The contributions were received Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, campaign filings show.
Wahl became chairman of the ALGOP in 2021 and stepped down last week after qualifying. In the fundraising announcement, Wahl said his campaign for lieutenant governor is centered on building the economy, fiscal responsibility and defending the rights and freedoms of every individual.
The principal campaign committee paperwork filed by Wahl lists his name as Nehemiah Wahl. He has gone by John in Alabama politics and in qualifying as a candidate with the ALGOP last week, but Nehemiah is his given name, he explained to Alabama Daily News.
Race frontrunner Wes Allen, the current Alabama Secretary of State, had $1 million on hand at the end of December. On Wednesday, he reported two $25,000 contributions from the political action committees representing the Business Council of Alabama and Alabama Farmers Federation.
Earlier this week, Allen raised issue with Wahl’s use of a “homemade fake ID” presented to a voting precinct in 2020.
It had Wahl’s picture on it and identified him as John Wahl, a regional press secretary for the Office of State Auditor. Al.com previously reported that the badge was not state-issued. Then-Secretary of State John Merrill and Allen later forwarded complaints about the ID to Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall.
Jim Zeigler was the state auditor at the time and confirmed to ADN on Monday he approved the identification card.
The GOP May 19 primary ballot will also include Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate, Pat Bishop, George Childress, Dean Oden, Dr. Stewart Hill Tankersley and Nicole Jones Wadsworth.
Democrats Rep. Phillip Ensler and Darryl D. Perryman qualified with their party.