By Samuel Mattison
Alabama Political Reporter
John McMillian qualified to run for state treasurer Monday after much speculation where he would go after his tenure as commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.
McMillian, in a statement, said the decision was fueled by a desire to preserve Alabama’s financial resources.
“As the grandfather of two teenagers, I understand how important it is for Alabama to manage its money wisely so that we are providing opportunities for growth, education, and employment for future generations,” McMillian said.
The decision by the outgoing commissioner ends a long speculation on which office he would pursue as a candidate. In May 2017, McMillian filed paperwork to run for governor and started actively campaigning online.
As the year went on, however, newly sworn-in Gov. Kay Ivey started to signal that she would run for governor to seek a full term in her own right. Ivey became governor after former Gov. Robert Bentley resigned following an impending impeachment by the Legislature following a sex scandal.
The Alabama Political Reporter confirmed McMillian’s candidacy for state treasurer earlier this month in a phone interview.
Public Service Commissioner Twinkle Cavanaugh also withdrew her candidacy for governor after Ivey’s announcement that she would seek a full term as governor. Cavanaugh is now running for lieutenant governor, which is vacant after Ivey’s elevation to governor.
Party primaries will be in June, and current state Treasurer Young Boozer cannot run for re-election because of term limits in the Alabama Constitution.
The only other candidate registered to run include a Republican named Stephen Evans of Dothan. Evans unsuccessfully ran for public service commissioner in 2010 against Cavanaugh.
