Chen Targets Sorrell Over Trump, Finance Questions

Republican State Auditor candidate Derek Chen on Wednesday accused fellow Republican Andrew Sorrell of showing poor judgment in both politics and finance, pointing to Sorrell’s past criticism of President Donald Trump and his connection to a Georgia investment scandal now under federal scrutiny.

In a campaign statement, Chen said Sorrell had turned against Trump and the America First movement during the 2024 election cycle.

“In 2024, Andrew Sorrell said President Trump would be a drag on Republican candidates down to dogcatcher and asked him to step aside. Those are his own words,” Chen said. “When he turned his back on the America First movement, I stood with President Trump just like I have since 2015. My support for the America First movement has never wavered.”

Chen described Sorrell’s recent criticism of his campaign as an effort to shift attention away from questions surrounding the Georgia-based First Liberty Building & Loan collapse, which federal investigators and media reports have described as a massive Ponzi scheme involving Republican donors and activists in several States.

“Frankly, I don't know what's worse: my opponent's record or his judgment. It has been well reported that he lost tens of thousands of dollars of donor money in a Bernie Madoff-like Ponzi scheme in Georgia,” Chen said. “At best, he has terrible judgment. At worst, Alabama voters need to know a lot more.”

Chen also argued that the office of State Auditor requires careful financial oversight and accountability.

“Alabama taxpayers deserve a State Auditor with sound judgment that can be depended on to protect our tax dollars, state property, and hold Montgomery accountable,” said Chen. “My opponent wants to talk about records. His record proves he is completely unfit to manage anyone's money, especially Alabama taxpayers' money.”

The statement also revisited questions surrounding Stable Revolution LLC, a consulting company linked to Sorrell. Public reporting from campaign finance records shows the company received more than $200,000 from the campaign of Alabama State Board of Education member Allen Long. Reports also show Long’s campaign received donations tied to individuals and businesses connected to the Georgia investment operation.

Chen’s campaign questioned whether Sorrell’s consulting work while serving as State Auditor created ethical concerns.

“After launching a campaign for Secretary of State and thinking he was going to lose, my opponent switched races just like any career politician would,” Chen said. “My opponent's latest attack ad is exactly what you would expect from a career politician who is desperate to hold onto power.”

According to reporting from the Georgia Recorder and Alabama Reflector, Sorrell acknowledged losing money connected to the First Liberty investment collapse and later returned a portion of campaign donations tied to the case. Additional reporting from Alabama Political Reporter detailed amended disclosure filings involving Stable Revolution LLC and campaign consulting payments.

Chen closed his statement by contrasting his campaign with Sorrell’s record.

“Since day one, I have been committed to being the State Auditor and the people of Alabama. I will be honest, transparent, and accountable,” said Chen. “My opponent simply cannot be trusted to be a watchman for Alabama taxpayers.”

At the time of publication, no response from Sorrell’s campaign was included in Chen’s release.

However, Sorrell’s wife, Hannah, took to Facebook to respond to what she described as “lies about my husband,” refuting accusations which have been made against him. Her video rebuttal may be seen at THIS LINK.