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.”
Australia accuses Iran of organizing antisemitic attacks and expels ambassador
Australian leader Anthony Albanese accused Iran of organizing two antisemitic attacks in Australia, saying the country would cut off diplomatic relations with Tehran. Iran had no immediate reaction.
Long-elusive Mexican drug lord Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada pleads guilty in U.S.
Former Mexican cartel kingpin Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty Monday to U.S. drug trafficking charges.
Attendees could be in for thunderstorms, dust and hail at this year’s Burning Man
These weather patterns are typical for this time of year in Nevada's deserts. Eventgoers should keep an eye on the forecast and prepare for hazardous conditions, the National Weather Service said.
Trump again calls for FCC to revoke ABC and NBC licenses
President Trump lashed out on social media late Sunday against ABC and NBC, putting the nation's top broadcast regulator once more at the center of his culture wars.
Israeli strikes kill 22, including 5 journalists, in a Gaza hospital
Israeli forces killed 22 people, including five journalists, in two strikes on Gaza's Nasser Hospital, drawing global condemnation and prompting a rare admission of regret from the Israeli government.
Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre’s memoir will be published months after her death
Virginia Giuffre was one of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's most outspoken accusers. Six months after her death, Giuffre's book detailing her life will be published.
