MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Just over two months out from the primary, campaign finance reports filed this week show a close contest in the race to be Alabama’s next commissioner of agriculture and industries.
Republican State Sen. Jack Williams led the month in fundraising, bringing in $47,700 in contributions.
Fellow Republicans Douglas Mayor Corey Hill and Baldwin County business owner Christina Woerner McInnis took in $17,855, and $6,130, respectively.
Williams and McInnis are neck-in-neck in spending. Williams has poured in $484,919 to McInnis’ $458,574 thus far. Hill has spent $50,860 over the course of the race.
McInnis’ reserve of $381,269 was the largest headed into this month. Williams is close behind, with $349,590 on hand. Hill has $263,725.
Democrat and former ag commissioner Ron Sparks is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. He held the office from 2003 to 2011. Sparks raised $23,868 last month and has a war chest of $59,960.
Current ag commissioner Rick Pate is term-limited and is running to be lieutenant governor.
The primary is May 19. The deadline to register to vote in the primary is May 4.