Alabama Republicans in brutal race debate dark money days before runoff election

The race to become Alabama’s next attorney general reached a fever pitch in Montgomery on Monday night. With just eight days remaining until the June 16 runoff, Republican candidates Katherine Robertson and Jay Mitchell squared off at the Montgomery Performing Arts Center in a debate hosted by 1819 News.

Runoff Context

Robertson, currently the chief counsel for Attorney General Steve Marshall, led the May 19 primary with 40.5% of the vote. Mitchell, who stepped down from the Alabama Supreme Court to launch his AG bid, secured his spot in the runoff with 34.4% support.

The Dark Money Conflict

Campaign finance has emerged as a central point of contention. Mitchell has repeatedly targeted Robertson over the $2.9 million in dark money contributions she has accepted, which account for more than half of her $5.6 million war chest. Mitchell emphasized that 97% of his own funding comes from Alabama individuals, families, and businesses.

Robertson defended the contributions, pointing to endorsements from the Republican Attorneys General Association and Federalist Society leader Leonard Leo. She argued that these supporters are invested in her commitment to combating liberal policies.

Policy Debates

Beyond campaign finance, both candidates discussed their vision for the office:

• Immigration: Both candidates pledged to prioritize cooperation with ICE. Robertson highlighted her visit to the southern border in Yuma, Arizona, while Mitchell expressed his intent to coordinate with Sen. Tommy Tuberville to ensure Alabama is a challenging environment for those in the country illegally.
• Redistricting: Both candidates praised the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on redistricting, which allows the state to utilize a GOP-friendly map.
• Gambling: Both candidates stated they do not support the expansion of legalized gambling, though they differed slightly on the path forward. Robertson called for tougher penalties and more resources for the AG’s office to enforce existing laws, while Mitchell noted that any future gambling initiatives would be up to the Legislature and a vote of the people.

Looking Ahead

The winner of the June 16 runoff will move on to the November 3 general election to face Democratic nominee Jeffrey McLaughlin. The successor will replace Attorney General Steve Marshall, who has served since 2017 and is ineligible for a third term.