Josh Pendergrass, a lawyer and former pastor who was Gov. Kay Ivey’s first communications director, is running for state auditor.

Pendergrass, 40, is seeking the Republican nomination for the office, which is responsible for keeping track of property and equipment purchased and used by state agencies.

It is an open seat because State Auditor Andrew Sorrell is running for secretary of state.

“The auditor is really a constitutional form of good government, of good management, of ensuring that tax dollars that are expended to purchase state property, that those tax dollars are used wisely, adequately, and correctly,” said Pendergrass, who lives in Autauga County.

“In a lot of ways, it’s the state version of a DOGE.”

Pendergrass said the total value of property the state auditor is responsible for tracking is about $1.3 billion.

Derek Chen of Vestavia Hills and Robert McCollum of Dadeville, who ran for the Public Service Commission last year, are also seeking the Republican nomination for auditor.

The state auditor appoints one of the three members of boards of registrars in each of Alabama’s 67 counties.

Pendergrass said that means that the auditor is responsible for putting in place men and women who will work for fair and secure elections.

Pendergrass said he believes the auditor’s role could be expanded in pursuit of more transparency and integrity in state government. He said his contacts in the executive and legislative branches would help him make that happen.

“My years of service—through my law practice, ministry, and work with Governor Ivey—have shown me that integrity and action are the only way to deliver for Alabamians,“ Pendergrass said. ”I’m running to ensure our state leads with transparency, fiscal discipline, and an unshakable commitment to putting Alabama first.”

In 2022, Pendergrass launched a campaign for the Alabama House of Representatives in District 88, challenging then-Rep. Will Dismukes. But during redistricting, his home was drawn barely outside the district and into District 69.

Pendergrass started his law firm in 2011 and said his practice includes work across the 19th Judicial Circuit, which includes Autauga, Elmore, and Chilton counties, as well as other counties.

Pendergrass is a former full-time and part-time pastor who has served on the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.

Pendergrass and his wife, Leslie Brown, have an 8-year-old son.

“In Montgomery, the path to accountability is clear: tell the truth, stand firm, and never bow to political games,” Pendergrass said. “With President Trump’s bold vision as my guide, I’ll fight relentlessly to cut government waste, protect taxpayer dollars, and restore trust in our institutions.”