Gravy In The Pie Crust: ALFA's Odd Endorsements

By Christopher M. Peeks October 5, 2025

In Alabama politics, people are buzzing about the latest election news like bees around a honey tree. The recent endorsement by ALFA is as odd as a Wiregrass farmer sowing a field of dandelions—pretty to the eyes, but unfulfilling to the stomach. In short, they look good on paper but lack substance.

Attorney General Steve Marshall, who, according to insiders who spoke to me on condition of anonymity, has a sizable lead of 20-plus points over his closest rival, Congressman Barry Moore, was the logical pick. But some of the choices made as much sense as putting sausage gravy on Aunt Lillian's sweet potato pie. Most notably: Katherine Robertson over Jay Mitchell and Pamela Casey; Matt Gentry over Jeremy Oden; Chris Beeker over Brent Woodall; and Wes Allen over Rick Pate. Let's examine.

Choosing Katherine Robertson is the first head-scratcher. Not because she lacks credentials—she has served under Attorney General Steve Marshall, the longest-serving AG in Alabama history, for the past nine years—but because she polled third behind former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell and Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey. Perhaps she got the support of ALFA because her boss, Attorney General Steve Marshall, who has received the backing of the Farmers Federation, endorsed Robertson to take his place.

Now the next two picks conjure visions of 30 pieces of silver, with ALFA betraying Senator Jack Williams, who is running for Agriculture Commissioner, and putting the knife in the back of current Ag Commissioner Rick Pate, who is seeking to be the next Lieutenant Governor. Instead, ALFA chose Chip Hill over Williams and Secretary of State Wes Allen over Pate, respectively.

If the others seemed baffling, the endorsements in the PSC races are as peculiar as a hound dog herding chickens. Let's try to piece together this jigsaw puzzle. Like a suitor who spent all winter sending flowers to the high school beauty queen hoping for a date on Valentine's Day, only to see her snub him for a Johnny-come-lately who showed up at her door on the day of—is what happened to Brent Woodall after going to Farmers Federation gatherings all summer. Literally, not only did Beeker not attend any ALFA meetings, he didn't even return their messages, showing up mere minutes before his time to speak—yet they chose him anyway.

Well, since logic is out the window here in bizarro world and up is down, the pick of Matt Gentry is the right choice. So ALFA chose one PSC incumbent, Chris Beeker, who has been in office about six months, but chose the opponent of Commissioner Oden, who has been in office 14 years? Make it make sense. I don't know how you justify that one.

When examining these endorsements, we can see that ALFA did not go by loyalty. I don't know what they went by, but constancy did not play into the mix.

So there you have it—the people that ALFA wants the voters of Alabama to choose as their leaders in the 2026 midterm elections. Now look, I am not saying these choices are right or wrong. I am not saying they should have chosen one over the other. Ultimately, the voters will have the final say. I am just saying there is no rhyme or reason for their selections.

With that being said, perhaps there is a method to their madness, and they will be vindicated at the polls. But I have to wonder if the ALFA members who voted make their pie crust in the same bowl as they make their gravy.

Christopher M. Peeks

Reporter and Columnist

Alabama Political Contributor

2026 Alabama Farm PAC Endorsements