Wayne Rogers Talks Voter Access, Election Integrity, and His Run for Alabama Secretary of State
Staff Writer October 03, 2028
On this episode of the BCS - State of Alabama Podcast, Alabama Democratic nominee for Secretary of State Wayne Rogers joined Christopher M. Peeks, owner of the Alabama Political Contributor, and Brandon Moseley for a wide-ranging interview about his campaign.
Rogers, an attorney who currently serves as legal advisor to Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway, will face Republican nominee Caroleene Dobson in the November 3rd general election. The seat is open, with incumbent Republican Secretary of State Wes Allen retiring to run for Lieutenant Governor.
A Thomasville native, Rogers announced his candidacy last year on September 18th, coinciding with his 63rd birthday, at the Thomasville Public Library. A 1980 graduate of Thomasville High School — where he marched in the band alongside current Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day — Rogers went on to earn a music degree from Samford University in 1984 and his law degree from Cumberland School of Law in 1988. He has practiced law in Alabama since then, including time as a federal prosecutor in the 1990s, and is a former chair of the Jefferson County Democratic Party.
During the conversation, Rogers laid out his platform centered on expanding voter access.
While his Republican opponent Dobson, a real estate attorney and the GOP nominee for Alabama's 2nd Congressional District in 2024, has won the backing of much of the state's business establishment, Rogers is running on a promise to make voting easier and more secure for all Alabamians.
Rogers discussed the need to modernize the Secretary of State's office, protect the voting rights of eligible citizens, and restore trust in Alabama elections. He pointed to his experience as a longtime Democratic organizer and as legal advisor in one of the state's largest law enforcement agencies as preparation for overseeing elections, business filings, and the other core duties of the office.
Rogers advanced from the Democratic primary after the primary was canceled, while Dobson defeated Christian Horn and Glenda Jackson in the Republican primary on May 19, 2026, with 65.5% of the vote.
Rogers has been endorsed by the Alabama AFL-CIO and has been campaigning across the state with other Democratic statewide candidates including gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones and U.S. Senate candidate Everett Wess.
The full interview covers Rogers' path from Thomasville to Birmingham, his views on early voting, absentee ballot access, and what he says is at stake for Alabama voters in November.
You can watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/YBOIevF4g3Y
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