Alabama State Auditor Andrew Sorrell says his decision to shift from the race for secretary of state back to a re-election bid for auditor was driven by political reality, not a change in priorities.

Sorrell, a Republican, spoke with 256 Today about seeking a second term as state auditor in the 2026 election after spending nearly a year campaigning for secretary of state. He will face Derek Chen in the Republican primary, with the winner advancing to the general election against Democrat Violet Edwards.

“I was running for secretary of state for about a year,” Sorrell said in an interview. “I care deeply about election integrity, and that has not changed.”

Sorrell said his role as state auditor still places him squarely within Alabama’s election system. He noted that the auditor appoints members to county boards of registrars in 66 of Alabama’s 67 counties and makes three appointments to the state’s Voter Registration Advisory Board.

“That’s 69 appointments in total that deal with elections,” he said. “I don’t want anybody to think I care less about election integrity than I did six months ago.”

While Sorrell acknowledged policy reasons for staying in the race, he was candid about the financial realities that ultimately led him to change course.

“My decision to swap races, quite frankly, was due to the money differential,” he said. “My opponent had a much larger checkbook than I did.”

Sorrell said he was leading in polling at the time, citing a survey that showed him ahead 21% to 14%, but said he was not confident the advantage would hold.

“For once in my political career, I played it safe,” he said.

The North Alabama native pointed to a history of political upsets, including his 2018 victory over a long-serving Democratic incumbent in House District 3, which includes Colbert and Lawrence counties, and his 2022 runoff win for state auditor after initially polling in last place.

“I don’t know if I can go three in a row,” he said. “So I decided maybe I’d just play a little bit safer this time.”

Sorrell said he is proud of his work as state auditor, particularly his emphasis on fiscal restraint and reducing government spending.

“Practicing what I preach,” he said, describing his approach to budgeting and opposition to government growth that outpaces inflation.

He said the auditor’s office initially required additional funding when he took office but has since operated with minimal increases. In recent years, Sorrell said he requested a 1% increase followed by a 1% decrease, and most recently asked for less funding than the governor ultimately proposed.

“They looked at it and said there’s no way he can run it that cheap,” Sorrell said. “But we do.”

Sorrell said cost-saving measures include relocating staff to free office space in the Capitol, declining a state vehicle and absorbing travel costs personally.

“I put 63,000 miles on my vehicle last year,” he said. “I’ve done everything I can do to not waste taxpayer money.”

When asked about the reaction from supporters to his decision, Sorrell said feedback has been mixed but largely understanding.

“It’s been a solid mix of disappointment that I’m not running for secretary of state and understanding,” he said. “Most of them think it’s refreshing that a politician was humble enough to say, ‘I may not be able to win this race.’”

Sorrell said his goal remains the same: to continue serving another four years as state auditor.

“I want to continue serving,” he said. “And I love being state auditor.”