Rick Pate, a GOP candidate for lieutenant governor, has a coalition of business leaders supporting him, his campaign announced Monday.
“The business community needs a doer, not a talker serving as lieutenant governor, and Rick Pate is the only candidate who has signed the front of a paycheck so others can sign the back,” said Ken Upchurch, chairman and CEO of W.K. Upchurch Construction and member of Business Partners for Rick Pate.
Pate is one of five Republicans running to replace current Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who is term limited, in 2026.
Pate is the current state agriculture commissioner and previously owned for 38 years a landscape design, construction, and irrigation business.
“Rick Pate has demonstrated the grit and determination that is required to start and build a successful business, and he has firsthand knowledge of the challenges and concerns that business owners face on a daily basis.”
The press release from Pate’s campaign said he will advocate for reducing excessive government regulations that hinder businesses and will promote workforce development initiatives that will equip Alabamians for long-term careers.
According to the most recent state filings, Pate’s campaign had about $390,000 cash on had, second to current Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen’s just over $480,000.
“I am honored by the support that I have received from Alabamians from across the state,” Allen said Monday. “I would refer you to the publicly available campaign finance records which show more than 250 hardworking Alabamians from more than 50 towns who have donated to my campaign.
“I will continue to work hard, as I always have, to protect our state’s Christian conservative values and to support businesses, large and small, throughout our state. My record speaks for itself.”
Nicole Wadsworth, Dean Odle and Patrick Bishop round out the GOP primary field in the race.
Other members of Pate’s business coalition include Mac Caddell of Caddell Construction, Bob Crawford of United-Johnson Brothers of Alabama, Gary Savage of BL Harbert International’s US Group, Shep Morris of Morris & Morris Farms and former Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange.