Madison County Commissioner Violet Edwards has announced she is running for Alabama State Auditor on the Democratic ticket, citing her experience in fiscal oversight, budgeting and government accountability.
Edwards, first elected to the Madison County Commission in 2020 and re-elected in 2024, made history as the first Black woman to serve on the commission. In a statement announcing her candidacy, Edwards said she decided to enter the statewide race after encouragement from community leaders, colleagues and supporters across Alabama.
During her tenure on the commission, Edwards has overseen county departments and public resources while guiding investments in workforce development, senior services, food access and infrastructure. She said the work required careful budgeting, transparency and long-term planning, skills she believes align directly with the responsibilities of the State Auditor’s office.
“At a time when voters are demanding real accountability from the state government, the State Auditor’s office cannot be a passive role,” Edwards said. “The choice in this race will be between continuing business as usual or electing a leader who can bring independent oversight, transparency, and integrity back to how Alabama manages public assets.”
The Alabama State Auditor is a constitutional officer responsible for auditing the State Treasurer’s accounts, tracking state-owned property and reporting on the handling of public assets and funds. As calls for transparency and efficiency in state government continue, the office plays a key role in ensuring taxpayer dollars and state property are properly accounted for.
Edwards brings both public- and private-sector experience to the race. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Alabama and an MBA from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Prior to public service, Edwards worked in television and radio news, earning Associated Press awards for investigative and feature reporting, before transitioning into community leadership and government service.
“Alabamians deserve more than to talk about efficiency; they deserve results,” Edwards said. “I’ve managed public money, made tough decisions, and delivered real outcomes. I’m running to bring that same discipline and transparency to the State Auditor’s office.”
As a county commissioner, Edwards has served as liaison to the Madison County Board of Registrars, where she advocated for professional standards, adequate staffing and fair compensation as county responsibilities expanded. She said that experience informs her understanding of the Auditor’s role, which includes registrar-related duties, but emphasized her broader focus on statewide oversight and public accountability.
Edwards also serves on the Association of County Commissions of Alabama’s Minority Steering Committee, which supported 2025 legislation aimed at standardizing registrar operations and improving accountability across counties.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones welcomed Edwards’ announcement, praising her record of service and leadership.
“I’m excited to welcome Commissioner Violet Edwards to the 2026 race for State Auditor,” Jones said. “She has quickly become an impactful leader not afraid to ask hard questions and work toward solutions. Her leadership in Madison County has shown a strong commitment to accountability, transparency, and responsible stewardship of public resources.”
Edwards said potential expansion of the State Auditor’s authority further underscores the need for experienced leadership in the role. She said her background overseeing public assets and complex operations at the county level positions her to provide independent oversight at the state level.
“The State Auditor should work for the people, not the political system,” Edwards said. “When it comes to state property, it’s not about red or blue. It’s about your assets, your property, and where your tax dollars went.”
Edwards joins the race for State Auditor as Alabama voters head toward the 2026 election cycle.
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