MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Republican Derek Chen raised $17,000 in the race for state auditor in January, according to campaign finance reports filed Tuesday.
Chen is an attorney from Vestavia Hills, and his January fundraising brings his total on hand to $432,000, nearly three times larger than the war chest of incumbent Republican Andrew Sorrell. Chen previously took in a loan of more than $500,000. Chen spent $7,200.
Sorrell had been running for secretary of state since last year but changed course to run for reelection as state auditor in early January. He raised $1,300 and spent $3,600 in his first month in the race.
Sorrell loaned $150,100 to his campaign last month, bringing his total on hand to $148,000.
Sorrell told ADN Tuesday that he looks forward to resuming fundraising in earnest now that the legislative blackout period, which lasted from Jan. 13 to Jan. 19, is over and he is settled in the new race.
“In the 2022 election cycle my campaign set a record by raising over $300,000 for state auditor,” Sorrell said in a written statement. “I am confident that my donors will support my reelection efforts and provide me with the funds necessary to get my campaign message out to the voters in the coming months.”
Madison County Commissioner and Democrat Violet Edwards brought in $2,600 in cash contributions and spent $2,900. She also lent $2,000 to her campaign in January.
Republican Joshua Pendergrass, who had been running since last June, dissolved his principal campaign committee on Jan. 19. He is now running for the Alabama House of Representatives in District 69. The seat is currently held by Rep. Kelvin Lawrence, D-Hayneville.
The primary is May 19.
Updated 7:29 p.m. to correct Chen’s fundraising numbers for January.