The two frontrunners candidates for Alabama attorney general touted their July fundraising on Tuesday and criticized their opponent’s funding sources.
Republicans Jay Mitchell and Katherine Robertson’s campaigns have now taken in more than $1.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, with more than nine months until the May 19 primary.
In a written statement, Mitchell’s campaign highlighted the near $405,000 in campaign donations he received in July, most of which came from in-state donors or PACs.
“The vast majority of Mitchell’s donors are from within the state, while his opponent’s campaign is funded almost entirely from more than $1 million of out-of-state dark money,” the statement said. “Jay Mitchell is committed to pursuing funds from Alabama groups who are aligned with President Trump’s conservative agenda.”
Although the statement didn’t name the opponent, Robertson received $1 million from First Principles Action, Inc., a nonprofit in Nashville run by the former executive director of the Republican Attorneys General Association, in June. She also has a $100,000 contribution from the group this month.
Alabama Daily News asked Robertson’s campaign about the “dark money” comment.
“Katherine Robertson has raised more than $1.5 million since launching her campaign just 60 days ago; an impressive achievement as the only first-time candidate in this race,” a campaign spokesman said in response. “She could not be prouder of the support she has received from First Principles, in recognition of her leadership and standing in the conservative legal movement, as well as an impressive number of individual donors from across the state.”
The statement also questioned some of Mitchell’s money.
“Mr. Mitchell raised much of his campaign contributions, not as a candidate for Attorney General, but as a candidate for the Alabama Supreme Court—a seat that he ran for last fall, won, and promptly resigned from,” it said.
Mitchell resigned earlier this year from his second term as an associate justice on the state’s high court to run for AG, as required by law.
In June, he moved about $638,000 from his previous judicial campaign fund to his new campaign account.
According to the latest numbers available, he has $1.6 million on hand.
Mitchell, a Mobile native, earned a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College in 1998, his master’s degree from the University College Dublin in 1999 and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2002.
He received the coveted Business Council of Alabama endorsement last month.
“This race is about who’s going to do the best job of championing Alabama’s conservative values and advancing President Trump’s agenda. It’s clear that voters are ready for an Attorney General who can fight and win for them,” Mitchell said in the statement.
Robertson has about $1.3 million on hand, according to campaign records.
She’s been chief counsel for two-term Attorney General Steve Marshall for most of his time in office and she has his endorsement. The Dallas County native graduated from Auburn University and the University of Alabama School of Law. Before joining Marshall’s team, she worked for the U.S. Department of Justice and as legislative counsel to former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions.
“Katherine is the clear favorite in this race, due to nearly a decade of on-the-job training in the Attorney General’s Office,” her campaign said. “Her story continues to resonate with voters from across the state.”
Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey ended July with nearly $90,000 on hand.