Wes Allen's Hail Mary Falls Flat

By Christopher M Peeks December 11, 2025

Like the dawning of a new football season in the opening game, Alabama politics is just now kicking off, and Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, in his bid to be the next lieutenant governor, finds himself down by three touchdowns.

With election news headlines breaking like teams coming out of the huddle, Allen has launched his first Facebook commercial. In it, he looks like an injured backup quarterback with a weak arm throwing a Hail Mary—a lame duck floating miserably through the air.

This ad is as desperate as Sister Mary’s School for the Blind attempting an onside kick. Pathetic.

Allen, in a feeble attempt to equate himself with A.J. McCarron, tries to conjure up images of his playing days. When did you play? What position? How many championships did you win? Yeah! Also, let us not forget the only reason you were on the Alabama team is because of your father. You give new meaning to the term “tackling dummy.”

Allen, in trying to compare his stature to A.J.’s, comes off more like a fired Vanderbilt coach comparing himself to Nick Saban. Forgotten. Loser. Not even in the same ballpark.

Since Allen wants to dwell on the past, let us not forget he lost the 2006 state auditor’s race in the runoff after winning the primary. That is a testament to his weakness. People who show up in the run-off show up for their candidate—unlike lower-propensity primary voters.

The daddy’s boy would not even be where he is if his father had not persuaded former Governor Bob Riley to pick him as Pike County probate judge in 2009. He likes to brag about his judicial experience on the campaign trail, but that is another story for another day.

Alabama Secretary of State

Just when I think Allen could not make another turnover on the campaign trail, he throws a pick-six. You do not want to talk about your football career because you were riding the pine—a glorified cheerleader.

Who came up with this ridiculous commercial for you? I can just see your minions chanting: “Wes, Wes, he’s our man! If he can’t do it, nobody can! Yay Wes!”

Really, Secretary Allen, if you are going to go deep, at least have a receiver in the area.

Christopher M. Peeks

Reporter and Columnist

Alabama Political Contributor