Alabama PSC Place 2 Runoff Pits Zeigler Against Beeker as McNeil Sues Over 7-Member Overhaul
Updated
Updated · Tuscaloosa Thread · Jun 15
Alabama PSC Place 2 Runoff Pits Zeigler Against Beeker as McNeil Sues Over 7-Member Overhaul
2 articles · Updated · Tuscaloosa Thread · Jun 15
Summary
Tuesday’s Alabama PSC Place 2 runoff will decide whether former state auditor Jim Zeigler can convert his 44.84% first-round lead into a win over incumbent Chris Beeker, who took 24.54%.
Beeker enters as the only incumbent still fighting for a PSC seat after Place 1 Commissioner Jeremy Oden lost renomination 75% to 25%, underscoring voter frustration over some of the Southeast’s highest power rates.
Zeigler is running on tighter regulation of AI data centers and protections for residential ratepayers, while Beeker is stressing his experience after being appointed to the commission in 2024.
Sheila McNeil, the lone Democratic candidate, separately sued over HB 475, which expands the PSC from 3 members to 7 and gives Gov. Kay Ivey four appointments before July 15.
Her suit argues the overhaul changed election rules after absentee voting began, diluted minority voting strength under the Voting Rights Act, and will not lower utility bills despite lawmakers’ push to curb utility influence.