Alabama Public Service Commission race likely headed to a runoff

The race for Place 2 on Alabama's Public Service Commission is barreling toward a June 16 runoff. Following Tuesday's primary, incumbent Chris Beeker III and former state auditor Jim Zeigler emerged as the top two candidates, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown to determine who will challenge Democrat Sheila McNeil in November.

Primary Results and the Path Ahead

As of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, unofficial results from the Alabama Secretary of State’s website showed Zeigler leading the field with 44.8% of the vote across all 67 counties, while Beeker followed with 24.5%. The remainder of the field saw former prosecutor Brent Woodall capture 18.3% and veterans advocate Priscilla Andrews finish with 12.4%.

The PSC plays a critical role in the lives of Alabama residents, regulating major utilities like Alabama Power, which provides service to 1.5 million customers.

Context of the Commission

Regardless of who secures the Republican nomination on June 16, the commission is undergoing a massive transformation. Four new commissioners are set to be appointed in July by Gov. Kay Ivey. Recent legislation, which faced criticism even from its own sponsor, mandates that the body expand from three to seven members, ensuring representation for each congressional district, and establishes a new cabinet-level secretary of energy position.

Voters looking for more information on the current political landscape can review our comprehensive voter guide.

Candidate Profiles

Beeker, who previously worked in banking and finance and served as the Alabama Rural Director at the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 2017 to 2020, is seeking his first full term. Gov. Ivey appointed him to the seat in 2024 after his father, Chip Beeker, stepped down due to health concerns. His family manages Beeker Catfish and Cattle Farm in Eutaw.

Beeker's campaign has relied heavily on political action committees, receiving a 2025 endorsement from Farm PAC. In contrast, Zeigler, an eldercare planner who served two terms as state auditor and a single term on the commission in the 1970s, positioned his platform around being a “watchman” for utility oversight, specifically regarding solar farms and data centers. Both Zeigler and Woodall trailed Beeker in total fundraising during the primary cycle.

A Busy Night for the Commission

The Place 2 race wasn't the only news coming out of the PSC primaries. Elsewhere on the ballot, voters ousted a long-standing incumbent, as retiring Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry defeated Place 1 Commissioner Jeremy Oden.