Wes Allen slams John Wahl as Lieutenant Governor's race turns negative

January 27, 2026 – MONTGOMERY – On Friday, Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl unexpectedly qualified to run for Lieutenant Governor – giving up his post as chairman. Secretary of State Wes Allen (R) – who has been running for Lt. Gov. for the last seven months – angrily denounced Wahl.

"By entering this race, Nehemiah Wahl has, once again, betrayed his obligation to the Alabama Republican Party," said Allen in a statement. "Instead of living up to his duty to promote Republican values and the success of Republican candidates, he has chosen self-promotion that will undercut the campaigns of Republicans up and down the ballot. Democrats are fielding the strongest slate of candidates in recent history and the Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party is giving them ammunition to attack every Republican candidate in the state."

Allen also attacked Wahl for a past incident in which Wahl allegedly presented a fake voter ID at the polls in Limestone County.

"I have worked hard to make sure that our state has the strictest voter ID laws in the country to protect our elections," said Allen on social media. "My opponent, Nehemiah "John" Wahl, admitted he tried to vote using a homemade fake ID. We could not be more different. I, like President Trump, support voter ID laws while opponent breaks them. Just when you think you've seen it all, you see this. This is why elections matter. I'm Wes Allen andI am asking for you to support me and voter ID on May 19."

Allen was not done there. Wahl reportedly has the endorsement of President Donald J. Trump and has implied that he is the strongest supporter of President Trump in the Lt. Gov race – a position that Allen strongly attacked.

"My opponent has accused me of not supporting President Trump," claimed Allen. "I have voted for President Trump on every Alabama Presidential primary and general election ballot since 2016. I have been an outspoken advocate and have worked hard to support his agenda. To say that I don't support President Trump is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard."

Allen has been Secretary of State for the last three years. Prior to that he served one term in the Alabama House of Representatives. He has also served the people of Pike County as probate judge. Allen is a native of Tuscaloosa, where his father – Gerald Allen – is a Republican state Senator. Allen was a vocal opponent of gay marriage as probate judge. As a state representative he pushed for heightened election security laws and sponsored legislation to ban experimental surgeries, drugs, and hormones to change the genders of Alabama children.

Wahl and Allen face a crowded GOP primary field that also includes: U.S. Army Major (ret.) Patrick Bishop, economic developer and real estate broker Dr. Nicole Jones Wadsworth, George Children, Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries Rick Pate, pastor and schoolmaster Dean Odle, and Dr. Stewart Tankersley.

The Republican primary is on May 19.

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