MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — The race for the state’s next lieutenant governor is heating up. Former Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl is joining a wide field of candidates who have qualified for that seat.

Dozens of important Alabama elections this year will likely have just one candidate. As of Jan. 21, 255 people have filed for 160 offices in Alabama on the November 2026 ballot. (That total doesn’t include some local city and county races).

Democrats are seeking a major upset in a reliably red state House district in Alabama on Tuesday night. Democrat Judith Taylor is challenging Republican Norman Crow in the 63rd district special election.

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, who is running for lieutenant governor, posted a campaign video on Sunday saying that his newest opponent in the race, former Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl,

Qualifying for the 2026 election cycle officially closed on Friday evening for candidates with the Alabama Republican Party.

The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday passed a bill that would require probate judges to conduct audits after state and county elections. HB 95, sponsored by Joe Lovvorn, R-Auburn, passed on a 72-25 mostly-partly line vote,

RUSSELL COUNTY, ALA (WRBL) — Alabama House Bill 95 requires state probate judges to conduct post-election audits. The bill has passed the house and is headed to the senate. Russell County Probate Judge Belinda Strickland says the bill is an effort to increase election integrity in the state.

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Source: Election results and race calls are from The Associated Press. By The New York Times election results team: Michael Andre, Matthew Bloch, Lily Boyce, Irineo Cabreros, Nico Chilla, Nate Cohn, Annie Daniel,