Alabama down ballot state executive elections, 2014
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June 3, 2014 |
November 4, 2014 |
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General Down Ballot Auditor, Treasurer, Agriculture Commissioner, Public Service Commissioner |
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Five down ballot state executive positions were up for election in the state of Alabama in 2014. The five down ballot offices on the ballot in 2014 were the Alabama Auditor, the Alabama Treasurer, the Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and two seats on the Alabama Public Service Commission. The general election took place on November 4, 2014.
The races for the state treasurer's office and commission seats were unopposed in 2014, leaving only two contested races for down ballot positions. Samantha Shaw (R) was unable to run for another term as auditor due to term limits, leaving the seat open to Miranda Joseph (D) or Jim Zeigler (R). Zeigler won the contest. Incumbent John McMillan (R) defeated challenger Doug "New Blue" Smith (D) for another term as agriculture commissioner. Young Boozer (R) was re-elected without opposition as state treasurer. For the Public Service Commission, Jeremy Oden (R) retained the Place 1 seat while Chris "Chip" Beeker (R) was unopposed in the general election for the Place 2 seat.
A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Alabama uses an open primary system, in which registered voters do not have to be members of a party to vote in that party's primary.[1][2][3]
For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.
Auditor
Candidates
General election
Term-limited
Samantha Shaw - Incumbent
Lost in the primary
Adam Thompson[5]
Hobbie Sealy
Dale Peterson (Alabama)
Did not qualify
Ray Bryan (barred from primary ballot by Alabama Republican Party)[5][6]
Results
General election
| Auditor of Alabama, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Jim Zeigler |
62.9% | 716,122 | |
| Democratic | Miranda Joseph | 37% | 420,843 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.1% | 1,010 | |
| Total Votes | 1,137,975 | |||
| Election results via Alabama Secretary of State | ||||
Runoff election
Republican runoff
| Alabama State Auditor, Republican Primary Runoff, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| Jim Zeigler |
64.9% | 131,637 | ||
| Dale Peterson | 35.1% | 71,141 | ||
| Total Votes | 202,778 | |||
| Election results via ALGOP.org. | ||||
Primary election
Republican primary
| Alabama Auditor Republican Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| Jim Zeigler |
47.1% | 164,002 | ||
| Dale Peterson |
24.3% | 84,828 | ||
| Adam Thompson | 18.6% | 64,688 | ||
| Hobbie Sealy | 10% | 34,910 | ||
| Total Votes | 348,428 | |||
| Election results via Alabama Secretary of State. | ||||
Democratic primary
- Uncontested
Duties
The Alabama Constitution requires the state auditor to make a report to the governor every year "showing the receipts and disbursements of every character, all claims audited and paid out, by items, and all taxes and revenues collected and paid into the treasury, and the sources thereof."[7] Additionally, the auditor performs "post audits of the accounts and records of the Treasurer and ... of the Department of Finance."[8]
The auditor also serves as a member on the following state boards:[8]
- State Board of Adjustment
- State Board of Appointments for Board of Registrars
- State Board of Compromise
- Alabama Education Authority
- Penny Trust Fund
In addition, the auditor's office is responsible for tracking all non-consumable state property worth $500 or more and performs an audit of those items every two years.[8]
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $234,156 during the election. This information was last updated on May 9, 2015.[9]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| Adam Thompson |
Alabama Auditor | $72,401 | ||
| Jim Zeigler |
Alabama Auditor | $70,680 | ||
| Hobbie Sealy |
Alabama Auditor | $42,527 | ||
| Dale Peterson |
Alabama Auditor | $34,942 | ||
| Miranda Joseph |
Alabama Auditor | $13,606 | ||
| Grand Total Raised | $234,156 | |||
Race background
At the outset of his campaign, former candidate Ray Bryan announced his intent to have the office of State Auditor abolished via constitutional amendment, and to have its duties absorbed by other parts of the state government, such as Examiners of Public Accounts.[10] He claimed this proposal fit with recent legislative efforts to consolidate the state government. A spokesman for Senator Del Marsh, who was involved in some of these efforts, stated that Senate's reorganization efforts had focused on departments with larger budgets and did not include plans for abolishing the office.[11] Thompson spoke against Bryan’s plan on the basis that the State Auditor is an elected position, as opposed to the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, which is a legislative agency. He stated that, "The Examiners of Public Accounts is a legislative agency and answers to the Legislature. The auditor is independently elected and answers to the people.”[10] The Alabama Chief Examiner, who heads the Examiners of Public Accounts, is a legislatively appointed position.[12] On February 24, 2014, it was reported that Bryan had been barred from the GOP primary ballot by the Alabama Republican Party.[13]
Treasurer
Candidates
General election
Young Boozer - Incumbent
Results
General election
Boozer won re-election without opposition.
Duties
The office of state treasurer "is responsible for multiple state financial interests, including unclaimed property, cash management, bonds, the Alabama Trust Fund, and more."[14] Some of the office's specific duties include:
- Restoring unclaimed property to its owners.
- Supervising and maintaining records of the issue of state bonds.
- Collecting, investing and disbursing state funds, including from the state's trust fund. Managing cash flow for state agencies.
- Promoting financial literacy among Alabamans.
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $82,500 during the election. This information was last updated on May 9, 2015.[15]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| Young Boozer |
Alabama Treasurer | $82,500 | ||
| Joe Cottle |
Alabama Treasurer | $0 | ||
| Grand Total Raised | $82,500 | |||
Agriculture Commissioner
Candidates
General election
John McMillan - Incumbent[16]
Doug "New Blue" Smith
Results
General election
| Agriculture Commissioner of Alabama, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | John McMillan Incumbent |
64.7% | 734,428 | |
| Democratic | Doug "New Blue" Smith | 35.2% | 400,299 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.1% | 970 | |
| Total Votes | 1,135,697 | |||
| Election results via Alabama Secretary of State | ||||
Duties
The commissioner of agriculture and industries is the head of the Department of Agriculture and Industries. He or she oversees and promotes "economic and industrial development" in Alabama, "investigates and ascertains the [state's] industrial possibilities," and collects statistics on state industry.[17] Alabama law directs the commissioner to take a special interest in the promotion of industries "in the smaller municipalities and rural communities of the state."
The Department of Agriculture and Industries establishes and enforces food safety regulations, enforcing laws relating to commercial weights and measures and monitoring pesticide usage in the state. It also regulates the treatment of livestock and poultry by farmers, agricultural pest control, provides marketing and outreach services to boost agricultural production, and mediates between Alabama farmers, their creditors, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $198,660 during the election. This information was last updated on May 9, 2015.[18]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| John McMillan |
Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture | $198,660 | ||
| Doug "New Blue" Smith |
Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture | $0 | ||
| Grand Total Raised | $198,660 | |||
Public Service Commissioner (Place 1)
General election
Jeremy Oden - Incumbent
Lost in the primary
Results
General election
Oden won re-election without opposition.
Primary election
Republican primary
| Alabama Public Service Commission, Position 1, Republican Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| Jeremy Oden Incumbent |
52.4% | 188,971 | ||
| Kathy Peterson | 47.6% | 171,755 | ||
| Total Votes | 360,726 | |||
| Election results via Alabama Secretary of State. | ||||
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $431,891 during the election. This information was last updated on May 9, 2015.[19]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| Jeremy Oden |
Alabama Public Service Commissioner (Seat 1) | $370,416 | ||
| Kathy Peterson |
Alabama Public Service Commissioner (Seat 1) | $61,475 | ||
| Grand Total Raised | $431,891 | |||
Public Service Commissioner (Place 2)
Candidates
General election
Lost in the primary or runoff
Terry Dunn - Incumbent
Phillip Brown - Chairman of the Alabama Minority GOP[21]
Jonathan Barbee
Results
General election
Beeker won re-election without opposition.
Runoff
| Alabama Public Service Commissioner (Place 2), Republican Primary Runoff, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| Chip Beeker |
59.3% | 119,122 | ||
| Terry Dunn Incumbent | 40.7% | 81,626 | ||
| Total Votes | 200,748 | |||
| Election results via ALGOP.org. | ||||
Primary
| Alabama Public Service Commission, Position 2, Republican Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| Chip Beeker |
39% | 133,606 | ||
| Terry Dunn Incumbent |
32.5% | 111,404 | ||
| Jonathan Barbee | 15.9% | 54,341 | ||
| Phillip Brown | 12.6% | 43,097 | ||
| Total Votes | 342,448 | |||
| Election results via Alabama Secretary of State. | ||||
Duties
Commissioners supervise and regulate the state's electricity, gas, water, railroad, and telecommunications companies. Additionally, it supervises transportation companies operating toll bridges, ferries, or roads. The Commission's mission is "To ensure a regulatory balance between regulated companies and consumers in order to provide consumers with safe, adequate and reliable services at rates that are equitable and economical."[22]
Campaign finance
Comprehensive donor information for this election has been collected by Follow the Money. Based on available campaign finance records, the candidates raised a total of $647,346 during the election. This information was last updated on May 9, 2015.[23]
| Campaign Contribution Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| Chip Beeker |
Alabama Public Service Commissioner (Seat 2) | $426,480 | ||
| Terry Dunn |
Alabama Public Service Commissioner (Seat 2) | $153,945 | ||
| Jonathan Barbee |
Alabama Public Service Commissioner (Seat 2) | $52,183 | ||
| Phillip Brown |
Alabama Public Service Commissioner (Seat 2) | $14,738 | ||
| Grand Total Raised | $647,346 | |||
Recent news
Agriculture Commissioner
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Alabama + agriculture + commissioner + elections"
Auditor
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Alabama + auditor + elections"
Public Service Commission
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Alabama + Public + Service + Commission + elections"
Treasurer
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Alabama + treasurer + elections"
See also
- Alabama state executive official elections, 2014
- Alabama Auditor
- Alabama Treasurer
- Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture
- Alabama Public Service Commission
External links
- Alabama Auditor
- Alabama State Treasurer
- Alabama Agriculture & Industries
- Alabama Public Service Commission
Footnotes
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Types," accessed July 22, 2024
- ↑ Justia, "Alabama Code § 17-13-1," accessed July 22, 2024
- ↑ Justia, "Alabama Code § 17-3-30," accessed July 22, 2024
- ↑ Joseph for Alabama 2014 Official Campaign Website, "Home," accessed June 12, 2013
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Anniston Star, "Bryan seeks state auditor's office so he can close it," June 4, 2013 (dead link)
- ↑ Ballot Access News, "Alabama Republican Party Bars Candidate for State Auditor from its Primary Ballot," February 24, 2014
- ↑ Constitution of Alabama, "Article V, Section 137," accessed May 20, 2011
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Office of the Alabama State Auditor, "Duties and Responsibilities," accessed May 23, 2011
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of Alabama 2014 elections," accessed May 9, 2015
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Montgomery Advertiser, "Candidate seeks to end Alabama auditor's office," accessed June 12, 2013
- ↑ Anniston Star, "Bryan seeks state auditor's office so he can close it," accessed June 16, 2013
- ↑ Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, "About Us," accessed June 16, 2013
- ↑ Ballot Access News, "Alabama Republican Party Bars Candidate for State Auditor from its Primary Ballot," February 24, 2014
- ↑ Alabama State Treasury, "Welcome to the Alabama State Treasury," accessed May 23, 2011
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of Alabama 2014 elections," accessed May 9, 2015
- ↑ Alabama Republican Party, "2014 Qualified State Republican Candidates," accessed February 7, 2014
- ↑ Code of Alabama, "Section 2-2-8," accessed May 27, 2011
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of Alabama 2014 elections," accessed May 9, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of Alabama 2014 elections," accessed May 9, 2015
- ↑ The Associated Press, "Terry Dunn draws challenge from Chris "Chip" Beeker in Alabama PSC race," June 10, 2013
- ↑ The Associated Press, "Chairman of Alabama Minority GOP challenges Commissioner Terry Dunn in PSC primary (updated)," August 12, 2013
- ↑ Alabama Public Service Commission, "Mission & History, accessed April 24, 2011
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Overview of Alabama 2014 elections," accessed May 9, 2015
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