Butterfly farms, ‘homemade’ IDs and the war of words: Alabama’s Lt. Gov race turns ugly
Wahl, the former state party chair who has President Trump's endorsement, held a narrow lead over Allen in Tuesday's primary.
Ethan Parker 
The race for Alabama lieutenant governor has intensified as former state GOP chairman John Wahl and Secretary of State Wes Allen barrel toward their June 16 runoff. Both candidates are vying for the Republican nomination, with the winner set to face Democrat Phillip Ensler in the November 3 general election.
The Path to the Runoff
Wahl, bolstered by a key endorsement from President Trump, secured 41% of the vote in the May 19 primary, while Allen followed closely with 38%. The two candidates collectively captured over 75% of the primary ballots, leaving the remaining five hopefuls far behind.
A Battle of Credentials and Character
While both men market themselves as conservative warriors, their campaigns have become increasingly vitriolic. Allen, 50, has leveraged his background as a probate judge, legislator, and secretary of state, while 39-year-old Wahl entered the race late, just one day after landing Trump's endorsement.
The mudslinging has covered everything from voting records to business dealings. Allen recently criticized Wahl for skipping the 2020 Republican primary, claiming it showed a lack of commitment to the party's leaders. Wahl dismissed the attack as desperate, asserting that the missed vote was due to unavoidable circumstances.
Business Disputes and Residency Questions
Allen has challenged the legitimacy of Wahl's business, Wisemen Trading and Supply. While Wahl famously raises butterflies on his family's farm, Allen claims the trading company has not properly registered with the Secretary of State’s office. Wahl fired back, stating that sole proprietorships do not require such filings and suggesting that Allen, as Secretary of State, should be more familiar with state business laws.
Residency questions also linger, stemming from a 2025 report by 205focus contributor Kyle Whitmire regarding Wahl's past Tennessee voter registration. Allen’s campaign even funded a $20,000 legal challenge to Wahl's residency earlier this year, though the state GOP steering committee declined to intervene.
Core Conservative Messaging
Allen points to his legislative history—including his role in banning gender-transition treatments for minors and restricting private funding for election expenses—as proof of his conservative record. Conversely, Wahl highlights his tenure as party chairman, noting his work as a Trump-aligned leader and Electoral College elector.
The candidates remain neck-and-neck in financial standing, with Allen having raised $1.7 million and Wahl raising $1.8 million. As the June 16 runoff approaches, the winner will prepare to take on Phillip Ensler, who secured the Democratic nomination last week, in a bid to replace outgoing Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth.
