How much does State Auditor get paid? 2 Republicans, 1 Democrat seek office

**AUDIT WARS: The $93,000 Bag Everyone Wants—Who’s Guarding Alabama’s Receipts?** Alabama is about to decide who holds the keys to the kingdom—or at least, who’s counting every single chair, laptop, and lawnmower the state owns. We’re talking about the State Auditor’s office, a gig that comes with a cool **$93,606 annual salary** and enough spreadsheets to make your head spin. The job description? Total gatekeeper energy. The Auditor is the one making sure state property doesn't just "disappear." They coordinate with every department to track transactions and perform a full-blown audit on all equipment every two years. No cap, it’s a massive undertaking. The Republican primary is already heating up with two heavy hitters looking to secure the bag, while one Democrat is chillin' on the sidelines waiting for the general election showdown. Mark your calendars: the Alabama primary drops **May 19**, with a potential runoff on **June 16**. The final boss battle—the general election—is set for **Nov. 3**. **[READ MORE: Alabama Election 2026: Where to vote, sample ballots, and everything you need to know to stay locked in at 205focus.com]** ### **THE CHALLENGER: Derek Chen** **The Resume:** Chen isn’t playing games. A Vestavia Hills businessman and lawyer, he’s already put in work at the Alabama Secretary of State’s office and the Tuscaloosa District Attorney’s office. He knows the legal landscape and he’s ready to bring that "main character" energy to the Auditor’s office. **The Goals:** Chen is all about that transparency. He’s promising to bring accountability and straight-up common sense to the position. If there’s a leak in the system, he’s planning to plug it. ### **THE INCUMBENT: Andrew Sorrell** **The Resume:** Sorrell is the current champ, having secured the seat in 2022. He’s an entrepreneur and a former State House Rep for District 3 out of Colbert County. He’s been in the trenches and he’s looking to keep his seat on the throne. **The Goals:** Sorrell wants to level up the office’s power. He’s looking for the authority to go after state employees for restitution if they lose or wreck state property—basically, he wants the receipts. On top of that, he’s pushing for election integrity by appointing registrars to keep things 100% legit. ### **THE FINAL BOSS: Violet Edwards** While the Republicans are duking it out, Democrat **Violet Edwards** is coasting through the primary unopposed. She’s currently waiting in the wings to face off against whoever survives the Chen vs. Sorrell scrap. *205focus.com is dropping deep dives on all the candidates in contested primary races so you can stay informed. Stay tuned for profiles on the uncontested candidates before the general election madness begins!*