West Alabama Senate Race Raises Over $160K As Qualifying Begins

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Two Tuscaloosa Republicans and a Lake View Democrat have officially qualified to run for Senate District 21 during the next General Election in 2022.

Click here to subscribe to our free Tuscaloosa Daily newsletter and breaking news alerts

Lisa Ward, 54, initially made her campaign announcement in September and qualified first thing Monday morning to run as a Democrat. On the GOP ticket at present, incumbent Sen. Gerald Allen, 71, along with political newcomer and Tuscaloosa businessman Tripp Powell, 41, also both qualified with the Alabama Secretary of State's Office.

Senate District 21 covers parts of Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties.

Thus far, Ward is the only Democratic to qualify ahead of the Jan. 28, 2022 deadline.

According to campaign finance records, a total of $163,422.26 has been raised by the three candidates for the race to date, with $36,739.21 spent.

Allen, who has served in the Senate since 2010 and in the Alabama Legislature since 1994, has raised $97,700 in contributions — more than doubling the fundraising of the other two candidates who have qualified. The incumbent Republican also had a commanding lead on spending already doling out $27,587.04 as on Monday.

Powell, who recently sold his family's business — Powell Petroleum and Buddy's Food Mart — is running for office for the very first time. The civic-mind business leader is heavily connected in west Alabama, coming in right now at second in fundraising going into the current reporting cycle with $50,500 in his war chest.

Ward, who is running a campaign fueled in large part by grassroots passion and small donations from supporters, is third for total funds on hand at $6,070.09.

In the 2018 General Election, Allen cruised to victory over Democrat Rick Burnham with 67% of the vote. In his two re-election bids, Allen has won easily over Democratic challengers with more than 60% of the vote in two Senate elections.

Party primaries for the November 2022 General Election are set for May 24, 2022. Primary winners will then appear on the Nov. 8, 2022 General Election ballot.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com