Derek Chen addresses the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans

February 19, 2026 – VESTAVIA HILLS, Ala. – Republican State Auditor candidate Derek Chen addressed the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans (GBYRs) at their regularly scheduled meeting about his campaign. This month the GBYRs were meeting at Slice Pizza on Timberlake Road in Vestavia.

Chen is a longtime member of the GBYRs. This is his first run for elected office.

"I have known most of y'all for many years," said Chen. "I know all of y'all, but I don't think you know my origin story. 100 years ago, there was a bloody civil war in China between the communists under Mao Tse Tung and the Nationalists under Chiang Kai Chek. My great grandparents fought for the Nationalists. Eventually Chiang Kai Chek and his military retreated to the island of Taiwan. That is where my parents were born and raised. Jimmy Carter in the 1970s decided to change diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to the Communists. At that time everybody thought the Chinese Communist Party was going to invade. Everybody who could get out got out."

"My grandparents applied to come to the United States," said Chen. "They had to wait in line for years, but eventually my family immigrated to the United States to the state of California. I knew from the age of three I was a strong Republican. It was during the 2000 presidential election. Every time that Al Gore's face appeared on the TV I said 'I don't like him. I managed to escape the socialist republic of the state of California to the great state of Alabama."

Chen has degrees from the Cumberland School of Law and the University of Alabama.

"I practice law in Jefferson County," said Chen. "The auditors office really appealed to me because it is a government accountability office."

"If we lose our freedoms at home, where do we go?" said Chen.

Chen said that he is passionate about the issue of illegal immigration, because his family had to wait in line to enter the country the right way.

"As a kid I wondered why it took so long for my family to immigrate to this country," said Chen. "My family would not have fared well (if the Communist Chinese had invaded) because during the civil war my great grandparents killed a lot of communists. I asked my grandparents why it took so long to immigrate. 'Yes, we were scared. Yes, we were afraid; but what kind of example would I set if my first act in my new country was to break the law' my grandfather said.

"My first vote that I cast was for Donald Trump in the 2016 primary," said Chen. "I was a very strong support of Donald Trump."

"Most people don't even know that we have a state auditor's office much less that it is elected," said Chen.

Chen explained that the state auditor keeps track of the state property inventory.

"Anything that is $500 or more the state auditor keeps track of."

Chen expressed his concerns about the Chinese made drones that are flooding the market.

"They are shipping those drones to this country," said Chen. "Our people are buying up those drones in heavy numbers. They are cheaper, because it is being subsidized by the Chinese Communist Party, so they can use that information to spy on us with all the information that we are sending back to them. We are funding the research and development for drones that could be used against us in a future war."

Chen promised that if he is elected that he would enforce a, "Complete and total ban of Chinese made drones on our state inventory on day one."

Chen explained that the state Auditor also picks one member of the three-member Board of Registrars in 66 of the 67 counties in Alabama.

"Most folks think the Secretary of State is in charge of maintaining the voters rolls," said Chen. "It is not, it is the state auditor."

Chen promised that if he is elected, he will appoint, "Only strong Trump conservatives" to serve on the Board of Registrars.

The Auditor also has a seat on the Penny Trust Fund board which is in charge of overseeing the investments in the fund "on behalf of the people of Alabama." Chen promised to make, "Good investment judgement to make sure that our state dollars are being invested properly. It is important to have good competent people on that board to make sure that our dollars are invested properly."

Chen was asked about President Trump's restrictions on Chinese drone sales in this country.

"I think President Trump is doing the right thing," answered Chen. "We are really limited on the state level what we can do; but the President is prioritizing American production of critical technology and I am fully in support."

Chen said that one of the things he would like to see would for the state of Alabama to purchase products made in the USA wherever possible.

"When the Alabama Constitution was passed in 1901 it was a very powerful position," said Chen. "The auditor is in the line of succession (if something were to happen to the Governor). Lieutenant Governor, Pro Tem. of the Senate, Speaker of the House, Attorney General, and then the Auditor."

Chen explained how the auditing powers of the Auditor were taken away and given to the unelected Examiner of Public Accounts before World War II.

"The auditor threated to investigate Governor Folsom," said Chen. "That helped push the legislature to take the power away from the auditor and give it to the examiner of public accounts."

Chen stressed that the office does have some power left to it.

"There is a lot of things the auditor can do with the existing staff," said Chen. "The Auditor can work with the attorney general and district attorneys to prosecute people who are stealing state property."

Lloyd Peoples – a former federal prosecutor – who is running for Alabama House of Representatives also addressed the group. As did Case Dixon, who is challenging incumbent Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) in Alabama's Sixth Congressional District.

Chen will face incumbent Auditor Andrew Sorrell (R) in the Republican Primary on May 19.

To comment or to ask a question email: brandonmreporter@gmail.com