MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Defined by attack ads, colorful rhetoric and hoards of PAC money, the race to be Alabama’s next attorney general has been one of the chippiest on the ballot this year.
Pamela Casey, Jay Mitchell and Katherine Robertson are fighting for the Republican nomination in Tuesday’s primary election.
Though the candidates have spent more than $8 million combined in the race, more than 45% of likely Republican primary voters were still undecided in a recent poll commissioned by Alabama Daily News and Gray Television.
The three candidates all have experience related to the office but come to the race from different backgrounds.
Casey works as Blount County’s district attorney but began her career in the AG’s office. Mitchell has been on both sides of the bench, most recently serving as a justice on the Alabama Supreme Court. Robertson has worked as current AG Steve Marshall’s chief counsel since 2018 after working for former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.
The race is also historic in nature because a win for Casey or Robertson would mean the first female attorney general in Alabama.
As the campaign enters the home stretch, here’s what to know.
Closing messages
There have been numerous ads about restoring law and order, keeping radical Islam out of Alabama and protecting children online. Robertson and Mitchell have painted themselves as strong allies of Trump, pledging to fight against transgender women in sports and take on violent crime.
In the home stretch of the primary, the three candidates have emphasized their ability to prosecute and litigate effectively if elected.
Robertson touted her experience as Marshall’s chief counsel and said the connections she’s made through her work in the office would lead to a smooth transition of power.
“My closing message to voters is to vote for the person that can hit the ground running on day one,” Robertson said. “That’s been the theme throughout my campaign, and I think the events of the last couple of weeks have underscored the value in somebody who’s already been in the office.”
She talked about her relationships with legislators and law enforcement as a further benefit of her experience leading the AG’s office.
Casey highlighted her own experience working in the AG’s office and said she understands the office well.
“At the end of the day, when they do their research, (voters) will see that I’m the only candidate that’s ever actually done the job, meaning I’ve stepped into the courtroom,” Casey said. “I’ve fought for our families. I’ve fought for our children. I have been the person doing the job for 20 years, not a politician. I’m a career prosecutor, and that’s what Alabama deserves.”
Mitchell’s final pitch focused on being a proactive attorney general working with Trump. He mentioned solving violent crime, deporting illegal immigrants and not allowing conditions “where radical Islam can take root” in Alabama.
“I’m going to be on offense for our state, for our people and for our way of life,” Mitchell said.
Endorsements, donors and campaign finance
All three candidates have garnered support from influential groups and notable people across the state. Beyond the name appeal, endorsements are also valuable because of the financial backing they bring.
The usual players in Alabama politics have taken sides, most supporting Robertson or Mitchell, but some out-of-state or national groups have gotten involved.
The Robertson campaign has accepted money from the Frontline Victory Fund, a super PAC based in Alexandria, Va., focused on Republican AG races. The conservative Club for Growth PAC also announced its endorsement of Robertson on Thursday afternoon.
Such 501(c)4 groups don’t have to disclose their donors like Alabama PACs do, which has led Robertson’s opponents to criticize the contributions as “dark money.”
Mitchell said “the vast majority” of Robertson’s support has come from “shadowy DC and out-of-state dark money shell groups that will not disclose who’s putting money in.”
“When you’re looking at who’s supporting us, you’re getting an idea of who you’re going to be accountable and responsive to,” Mitchell said. “I’ll just say the people of Alabama are bringing me. That’s what I’m going to be accountable and responsive to, and that’s who I’m going to serve every single day.”
Mitchell said 97% of his fundraising has come from within the state of Alabama.
Though she did not mention anyone by name, Casey brought up “dark money” in the race as well. She said she’s “not bought and paid for.”
“Look at how much money has come into this race from ‘dark money’ and outside sources, and decide who you want representing you and the state of Alabama: somebody who’s bought and paid for or someone who is doing it for the people,” Casey told ADN.
Robertson has addressed the “dark money” accusations repeatedly on the campaign trail. When asked about Mitchell’s comments, Robertson defended her record.
“The majority of my funding has come from the Republican Attorneys General Association and their allies from around the country, which is a testament to the leadership I’ve shown, not just at the state level, but nationally as well,” Robertson said.
Robertson earned a rare primary endorsement from RAGA in September. She’s also backed by the Alabama Farmers Federation and Coastal 150.
Mitchell has the support of the Business Council of Alabama, the Alabama Trucking Association and Alabama Citizens for Life.
Casey was endorsed by Angela Harris, Aniah Blanchard’s mother, earlier this week. Blanchard was murdered in 2019 at 19 years old and became the namesake for legislation to allow judges to deny bail for specific violent crimes.
Law enforcement officers, including numerous police chiefs and county sheriffs, have also been active in the race, with each campaign touting a number of endorsements from those in uniform.
Over the course of the race, Robertson has brought in the most money, racking up $4.44 million in monetary contributions. Mitchell is next with $3.86 million. Casey has taken in $196,000.
Robertson also leads overall spending at $4.4 million. Mitchell has spent $3.9 million, and Casey has spent $188,000.
Latest polling
A plurality of voters is still undecided, but recent polling shows Robertson with a clear lead in the attorney general.
In a survey of 500 likely Republican primary voters, 26.9% said they would choose Robertson if the election were held today. Mitchell was next with 14.4%, followed by Blount County District Casey at 11.2%.
The survey was conducted April 29 and 30 and has a margin of error of ± 4.4%.
To win the nomination, a candidate needs to receive 50% plus one vote. A run-off is likely with a three-person race, but the swath of undecided voters has the power to turn the race on its head.
The Republican nominee will face Democrat Jeff McLaughlin in the November general election.
The primary is May 19. For more information about how and where to vote, visit the secretary of state’s website.