July 2022 Group Watch: In Auburn, Whatley Concedes to Hovey
State Senator Tom Whatley of Auburn withdrew from a disputed race in the Republican primary in the east Alabama district he has represented for 12 years. The state Republican Party declared Auburn City Councilman Jay Hovey its nominee for the November 8 general election. The state Republican Party had declared a tie in the race. After learning of Whatley’s withdrawal, the party proceeded with a second hearing on the election dispute and decided to rescind its decision to count the provisional vote. Whatley was seeking a fourth term representing District 27, which includes parts of Lee, Russell and Tallapoosa counties. Hovey is expected to win the general election in this heavily Republican-leaning district.
