Montgomery attorney Caroleene Dobson, a Republican who ran for Congress last year, announced Thursday she is running for secretary of state.

“As Secretary of State, I will reduce fees on Alabama businesses, streamline services for the public, and I will never back down from the liberal activist groups who want to undermine the security of our elections,” Dobson said in a press release.

The campaign will be the second political race for Dobson, who won the Republican nomination in Alabama’s 2nd congressional district last year and lost to Democrat Shomari Figures in the general election.

Dobson grew up on her family’s farm in Beatrice in Monroe County. She has an undergraduate degree from Harvard College and graduated from the Baylor University School of Law.

Dobson is the second Republican in the secretary of state race.

State Auditor Andrew Sorrell announced his candidacy in February.

They are running for what will be an open seat because Secretary of State Wes Allen is running for lieutenant governor.

In last year’s congressional race, Dobson received 45% of the vote in a district that a federal court redrew to favor Democrats.

In her campaign press release for secretary of state, Dobson said she would work to step up enforcement of laws against election fraud, using a Florida election crimes division as a model.

The secretary of state is the state’s top election official.

“Alabama has some of the finest law enforcement officers and prosecutors in the nation,” Dobson said.

“I want to enhance their ability to bring cases by having a dedicated team of election experts who can investigate voter fraud claims proactively on the ground.”

A shareholder at the Maynard Nexsen law firm, Dobson specializes in natural resources, commercial finance, and real estate law.

The primary is May 19, 2026