The Path Of Least Resistance: Andrew Sorrell's Political Gamble

By Christopher M Peeks January 06, 2027

One thing for certain in Alabama politics is that you can expect the unexpected. That very thing occurred yesterday when State Auditor Andrew Sorrell announced his withdrawal from the Secretary of State's race to instead run for reelection. This announcement sent shock waves through the corridors of power in Montgomery and political pundits statewide.

State Auditor Andrew Sorrell

​Sorrell, by seeking to hold on to his current job, is taking the path of least resistance. Sorrell is banking on keeping his office and running for Secretary of State again in four years if Tommy Tuberville, as he has told some insiders, will only serve one term. But we have seen time and time again that when someone achieves that level of power, they will not let that go after four years unless they're ushered out of office by the voters.

​I am not sure Andrew Sorrell thought this decision through. Even if Coach decides to sit down after one term and Sorrell then runs for Secretary of State again, does he not realize that the powers that be are going to put another candidate up to try to impede his path to the governorship? And this candidate may be stronger than Caroleene Dobson. If Sorrell cannot defeat her, what makes him think he can defeat a more formidable opponent in four years?

​After campaigning for Secretary of State for more than a year, Sorrell may have gotten himself into a pickle by his decision. Privately, GOP insiders have expressed dismay at his choice to change races. One called the decision “cowardly,” while another referred to his announcement as “weak.” Another well-known public figure who is running for office went so far as to call this a "B * * * * move."

​His switching races seems to have left a bad taste in people's mouths, and attorney Derek Chin, with well over $400,000 on hand, seems unfettered by Sorrell's decision—making campaign stops earlier today and with more to come.

​With Sorrell out of the Secretary of State race, the trade associations already backing Chin can pile more money on top of Chin's already enormous campaign war chest, burying the State Auditor under a mountain of money he will not be able to dig himself out of.

​Montgomery doesn't want Sorrell in office, and he may have just given them the golden goose to end his political career. There is still a lot of time between now and May, but this decision may come back to bite Andrew Sorrell.

​Christopher M. Peeks

Reporter and Columnist

Alabama Political Contributor