Derek Chen Secures Key Endorsement from Alabama Retail Association

Staff Writer February 07, 2026

Derek Chen Secures Key Endorsement from Alabama Retail Association

​MONTGOMERY, AL — In a move that further solidifies his standing as the business community’s choice for fiscal oversight, Derek Chen has officially received the endorsement of the Alabama Retail Association’s political action committee, Retail PAC, for the office of State Auditor.

​The endorsement, announced on February 5, 2026, places Chen alongside a slate of pro-business candidates backed by the association for the upcoming 2026 election cycle. Retail PAC leadership cited Chen’s professional background and his commitment to streamlining government operations as primary factors for their support.

​A Focus on Accountability

​Rick Brown, President of the Alabama Retail Association, emphasized that Chen understands the specific challenges facing the state’s retail sector. "These candidates know that when retail succeeds, communities thrive," Brown stated, noting that Chen’s platform of accountability and transparency aligns with the needs of Alabama’s job creators.

​Chen, a lawyer and businessman, has campaigned on a platform of:

• ​Rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in state government.

• ​Modernizing reporting standards to ensure taxpayers know exactly where their money goes.

• ​Reducing bureaucratic red tape that often hinders small and large retailers alike.

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​Growing Momentum

​This latest nod from the Alabama Retail Association adds to a growing list of influential endorsements for Chen’s 2026 bid. He has already secured backing from:

• ​The Business Council of Alabama (ProgressPAC)

• ​The Alabama Forestry Association (ForestPAC)

• ​Manufacture Alabama

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​For Chen, these endorsements signal a unified front among Alabama’s economic drivers. By aligning with the Retail Association, Chen has positioned himself as a candidate dedicated to ensuring that the State Auditor’s office serves as a watchdog for the resources that support Alabama’s economic infrastructure.

​As the 2026 cycle heats up, Chen continues to emphasize that his private-sector experience is the "missing link" needed to bring a more disciplined, detail-oriented approach to Montgomery.

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