Allen & Chen: Election Integrity & Security

0:00It's April 26th. This is Birmingham News Today, AI-powered stories from your city. I'm Corey, with the story. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen and State Auditor, hopeful Derrick Chen, hit the stage at a Tuscaloosa County GOP meeting Thursday night. Allen's pushing his run for Lieutenant Governor, while Chen's gunning for Auditor in the May 19th Republican primary. Both laid out their visions for stronger government and election security right there in Tuscaloosa. Allen zeroed in on his track record, with election reforms, like laws to keep voter roles clean and block ballot harvesting. He called accurate voter files the base of fair elections, stressing how they've upgraded systems to cut interference risks. He also touted his time as a probate judge and legislator, plus pushes for less red tape on businesses. Chen, a University of Alabama law and MBA grad, opened up about his family fleeing communist China for Taiwan before landing in America for its freedoms. He broke down the Auditor job-watching state assets, sitting on keyboards like pensions

1:03and adjustments, even picking county election registrars in, most spots. Both hammered election integrity as non-negotiable for the Republic. Chen added a bold plan to ban Chinese made drones from state use over spying fears through data grabs. They painted a picture of accountability and security to fire up the crowd. As the primary heats up, these talks show Republicans rallying early, blending local roots with big conservative goals to lock in wins come November.