Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in North Alabama
A Merrill comeback?
Rumor has it Alabama’s former Secretary of State, John Merrill, is gearing up for another run for political office. In 2021, Merrill announced he was not running for another state office after an “inappropriate relationship” was revealed. A statewide political insider believes Merrill will be running for lieutenant governor in 2026. If that’s true, he’s sure to face stiff competition from another rumored candidate for the post, Wes Allen. As the current secretary of state, Allen has bolstered his name recognition and popularity throughout the state. Current Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth is term-limited and reportedly eyeing a run for Alabama’s top job.
Sorrell for SOS?
Meanwhile, if Allen were to pursue another office that would leave a vacancy in the SOS position. The same source says to look for State Auditor Andrew Sorrell to step up. Since his election in 2022, Sorrell has been busy working to beef up the State Auditor’s office while also effectively commenting on news of the day. The Muscle Shoals High School graduate previously served as state representative from House District 3 in Colbert County.
Freedom Real Estate’s reason to celebrate
Freedom’s Real Estate’s 10th Anniversary Celebration is set to get underway next week and we hear there’s plenty to celebrate. Established in 2014, Freedom Real Estate is the creation of Torch Technologies co-founder Bill Roark. Freedom’s portfolio includes South Huntsville’s first Class A office building and their North Huntsville Freedom Industrial Park, in addition to numerous other projects. Details are hard to come by, but next week’s celebration might also feature quite a newsworthy announcement.
Steel at Stadium Commons
Huntsville’s newest mixed use project is moving forward and steel is rising out of the ground. The Stadium Commons is on Memorial Parkway in front of the Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium which is home to the Huntsville City FC. When complete, the project will have 10,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space, 40,000 square feet of Class A office space and a hotel. To this point, only one tenant has been announced, the highly anticipated Hattie B’s. This will be the first location for the famous Nashville hot chicken restaurant.
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