20 Alabama Sheriffs Back Wes Allen for Lt. Governor

Twenty Republican County Sheriffs from across Alabama today announced their endorsement of Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen in his campaign for Lieutenant Governor in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary.

Allen, a Republican and the State’s Chief Elections Official, is seeking to succeed outgoing Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who is term-limited. Allen’s Statewide campaign has drawn support from a range of groups, including business and industry organizations.

“I am honored to have the support of these law enforcement officers,” Allen said in a campaign statement. “Upholding law and order should be a top priority of any administration and these Sheriffs know they can always count on me to do what is right under the law.”

The list of endorsing Sheriffs includes:

• Jimmy Abbett (Tallapoosa County)
• Ron Abernathy (Tuscaloosa County)
• Eric Blankenship (Henry County)
• Mason Bynum (Dale County)
• Scott Byrd (Coffee County)
• Eric Balentine (Colbert County)
• Bill Franklin (Elmore County)
• Marty Gottwald (Lamar County)
• Tony Helms (Geneva County)
• Jonathan Horton (Etowah County)
• Jimmy Kilgore (Talladega County)
• Terry Mears (Crenshaw County)
• Mark Moon (Blount County)
• Shannon Oliver (Franklin County)
• John Samaniego (Shelby County)
• Jeff Shaver (Cherokee County)
• Phil Sims (Marshall County)
• Blake Turman (Covington County)
• Jody Wade (Bibb County)
• Kevin Williams (Marion County)

Allen’s campaign has also secured endorsements from prominent state business groups, including the Business Council of Alabama’s ProgressPAC, which cited his work on election security and reducing red tape, and Manufacture Alabama, which praised his pro-business leadership.

Earlier in the campaign cycle, the Alabama Forestry Association endorsed Allen, highlighting his record of fiscal responsibility and industry support, while the Alabama Trucking Association called him a “ driven leader for Alabama.”

Allen, who was sworn in as Alabama’s 54th Secretary of State in 2023, previously served as Pike County Probate Judge and in the Alabama House of Representatives. He brings to the race a record of conservative governance and extensive experience in State and local government.

To learn more about Wes Allen and his campaign, go to WesAllenForAlabama.com or follow him on social media.