The Fall of Wes Allen: How John Wahl Won the Alabama Lieutenant Governor Runoff

Wes Allen

By Christopher M Peeks June 18, 2026

Going into the 2026 election cycle, my primary concern had nothing to do with the Democrats’ prospects of seizing control of Congress in the midterms; rather, it was the rapid consolidation of support for Secretary of State Wes Allen within the Alabama Republican establishment.

Allen, in his quest to become the next Lieutenant Governor of the Yellowhammer State, appeared to be on an unstoppable trajectory toward the office he so coveted.

This seemed especially true after former standout Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron withdrew from the race immediately following Christmas, combined with the floundering campaign of Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, whom many in 2025 had viewed as a dark horse gubernatorial candidate until Coach Tommy Tuberville entered the fray.

These developments were deeply unsettling. No one in Alabama politics wanted to see Allen defeated more fervently than I did.

Everyone knows there is no love lost between us. We got sideways last April when I condemned his handling of a public spat with his predecessor, former Secretary of State John Merrill. I offered no direct disparagement of Allen, only commentary on his approach to the conflict. However, Allen—a sensitive individual who believes he is beyond reproach—began targeting me within Republican circles. I had no desire to fight, but I did not shrink from the challenge.

His hostility toward my column confirmed that he lacked the temperament for high office, let alone a role in the executive branch. If he responds with such vindictiveness to minor scrutiny, one can only imagine how he would treat his detractors if he wielded the power of the Governor’s office.

I made it my mission to do everything possible to see him defeated, but as the qualifying deadline approached, my prospects looked dim. Then, mere hours before the clock ran out, my hopes were renewed when former Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl announced his candidacy with the endorsement of President Donald Trump.

Even then, I assumed that with the backing of Montgomery’s “big mules,” Allen would retain his front-runner status. Yet, on May 19, with everyone expecting Allen to emerge as the top vote-getter heading into a runoff, Wahl shocked the state by finishing first. Wahl was officially in the driver’s seat.

Over the next four weeks, Allen attacked him relentlessly, even running the now-infamous “raccoon” advertisement, all to no avail. Many observers expected a razor-thin margin, but Wahl decisively trounced Allen.

I, along with many other Alabamians, breathed a massive sigh of relief.

Allen, a political miscreant, is now relegated to a mere footnote in the annals of Alabama political history. Thank you, Alabama. Not only did John Wahl win, but so did the citizens of this state.

Christopher M Peeks

Reporter and Columnist

Alabama Political Contributor