Caroleene Dobson to run for Alabama secretary of state
Republican Caroleene Dobson, speaks with reporters after voting in Montgomery, Ala., on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Montgomery attorney Caroleene Dobson, a Republican who ran for Congress last year, announced Thursday she is running for secretary of state in 2026.
The secretary of state serves as Alabama’s chief elections official. The office also maintains business records and government records for the state.
Dobson said her priorities if elected include election security, reducing fees and getting legislation passed that will enable statewide post-election audits.
“As secretary of state, I will reduce fees on Alabama businesses, streamline services for the public, and I will never back down from the liberal activist groups who want to undermine the security of our elections,” Dobson said in a statement.
The office of secretary of state will be open in 2026. Current Secretary of State Wes Allen is running for lieutenant governor in 2026.
State Auditor Andrew Sorrell, also a Republican, is also running for secretary of state. Sorrell is a former member of the Alabama Legislature.
Dobson, a graduate of Harvard College and Baylor University School of Law, is a shareholder in Maynard Nexsen law firm. She specializes in natural resources, commercial finance and real estate law.
In 2024, Dobson ran for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District but lost to Democrat Shomari Figures. A federal court redrew the south Alabama district after ruling that Alabama had purposely diluted the influence of Black voters — who make up 27% of the state’s population.
Dobson said as secretary state that she wants to replicate the Florida Election Crimes and Division, an enforcement unit dedicated to investigating voter fraud and other election crimes.
“On the national level, I will advocate for President Trump’s commonsense election reforms,” Dobson said. “I will also leverage my legal experience to fight back against out-of-state activists who are constantly attempting to use the courts to undermine our election security measures.”
‘Sorry, Baby’ is a story about pain and healing you haven’t heard before
Eva Victor wrote, directed and stars in this tender film about a woman trying to make sense of life after sexual assault. Although very much a drama, Sorry, Baby showcases Victor's comic smarts.
Greetings from New Delhi, India, where performing monkeys spark delight — and ambivalence
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.
Israel strikes Syria’s capital Damascus
The Israel military said targets included a Syrian military compound in Damascus as well as a target near the Syrian presidential palace. Israel's defense minister said "painful strikes have begun."
The best games of 2025 so far, picked by NPR’s staff
From indies like Blue Prince to big console exclusives like Donkey Kong Bananza, NPR staff and contributors round up their favorite games of the year so far.
Israel strikes in Damascus as Syrian forces clash with Druze groups
The strike came as clashes continued in the southern Syrian city of Sweida after a ceasefire between government forces and Druze armed groups collapsed.
Even healthy brains decline with age. Here’s what you can do
Scientists are finding ways to minimize the effects of aging on the brain. Here are some ways to keep it healthy.
