Republican candidate for Alabama Attorney General Jay Mitchell criticized another of GOP opponent Katherine Roberston’s campaign finance contributions on Monday, this one from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Mitchell said accepting money from PCI breaks with past AGs’ stances against expanded gambling options in Alabama.
“I have directly declined financial support from big gambling because I oppose gambling expansion in Alabama,” Mitchell said in a written statement. “I believe that the Alabama Attorney General has a moral and legal obligation to fight illegal gambling and prevent the harm it does to our communities.”
He asked in the statement what Robertson is selling in exchange for the financial support.
Robertson accepted $10,000 from the PCI in late July, according to campaign finance records filed with the Alabama Secretary of State.
“Mr. Mitchell’s assertions are patently false,” Robertson’s campaign said Monday in a written response to his statements. “The truth, on this topic and others, will eventually catch up with him. Katherine Robertson is the proven, principled candidate in this race.”
The PCI operate three casinos in Alabama and have been critical players in recent legislation to expand gambling in the state. In 2024, when a proposal died on the Senate floor, Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Range, said his no vote was because the bill didn’t do enough for his district, which includes the PCI. Robertson for nearly eight years has been current Attorney General Steve Marshall’s chief counsel. Marshall has opposed gambling expansion legislation, instead calling for better enforcement of laws against illegal gambling operations in the state.
The PCI is also part of the Business Council of Alabama and Stephanie Bryan, the PCI’s tribal chair and CEO, is on the BCA executive committee. The BCA endorsed Mitchell and has contributed to his campaign.
So far this year, other PCI contributions have included $25,000 to Albritton and GOP lieutenant governor candidate Rick Pate. It’s given $50,000 to BCA’s Progress PAC and $100,000 to a Montgomery-based PAC run by lobbying firm Fine Geddie.
The tribe has also given $5,000 each to Mobile mayoral candidates Barbara Drummond and Spiro Cheriogotis in that non-partisan race.
Campaign finance records show Mitchell taking in just over $2 million since announcing his candidacy earlier this year. Robertson’s campaign has noted about $600,000 of that was leftover from his successful bid last year to get reelected to the Alabama Supreme Court. He stepped down to run for attorney general.
Robertson has raised about $1.7 million since her June campaign announcement. Mitchell has called out other sources of that money.
The GOP primary, which includes Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey, is May 19.
So far this year, other campaign contributions from PCI have included $25,000 to Albritton and GOP lieutenant governor candidate Rick Pate. It’s given $50,000 to BCA’s Progress PAC and $1 million to a Montgomery-based PAC run by lobbying firm Fine Geddie.
The tribe has also given $5,000 each to Mobile mayoral candidates Barbara Drummond and Spiro Cheriogotis in that non-partisan race.
This story was updated to correct the amount of funds contributed to the Fine Geddie PAC.