Alabama voters will choose next Tuesday between a familiar Republican incumbent and a Democratic challenger who says the state treasurer’s office should give residents a clearer view of how public money is managed.
Republican Young Boozer is seeking to remain in the office, while Democratic nominee Rosilyn Houston, a retired banker, is campaigning to replace him. The treasurer is responsible for managing and protecting Alabama’s finances, making the contest one of the statewide races on the ballot with direct implications for the handling of public funds.
An incumbent with a long history in the office
Boozer previously served as state treasurer from 2011 through 2019. Gov. Kay Ivey appointed him to return to the position in 2021, when he took over the remainder of John McMillan’s term after McMillan became executive director of the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission.
Boozer’s campaign website highlights several accomplishments from his time in office. Among them are efforts to rebuild the Alabama Prepaid Affordable College Tuition, or PACT, Program fund, a fiscally conservative approach and the return of unclaimed property to taxpayers.
Multiple messages seeking comment from Boozer were left, according to the source material. His campaign’s public message emphasizes his previous experience and record in an office he has held during two separate periods.
Houston focuses on public access to financial information
Houston has made transparency a central part of her campaign. She said residents should be able to use the treasurer’s website to see the financial accounts under the office’s responsibility, review how those funds are performing and track how money is returning to communities and counties across Alabama.
“I envision under that transparency model a citizen to come to the treasurer's website and to be able to click on a dashboard and see all the buckets of money that the treasurer is responsible for, and then drill down in that, and to see how those dollars are performing and how those dollars are coming back into the communities across or the counties, even across Alabama,” Houston said.
Her proposal would make the office’s information more accessible to the public through an online dashboard. Houston’s stated priority is not only publishing financial information, but organizing it so residents can examine the performance and community impact of the money managed by the treasurer.
Financial literacy is another campaign priority
Houston also says the state should play a larger role in helping Alabamians understand personal finance. She has proposed working with schools, churches, community centers and other organizations to build financial education efforts throughout the state.
Her argument is that financial literacy should become a regular part of the curriculum and that state government can help connect existing community groups with residents. Houston described the goal as improving the public’s ability to manage money and strengthening partnerships between institutions that already serve local communities.
“Helping to foster connectivity, alignment, and partnerships with, say, our schools. I really believe that we need to teach (financial literacy) in school,” Houston said.
She also said churches, community centers and other organizations could work together on those strategies, with the state serving as a major partner. The proposal places education and community coordination alongside oversight as part of her vision for the treasurer’s office.
Campaign spending shows different financial positions
Campaign finance reports available as of Wednesday morning showed Boozer had raised more money than Houston, although Boozer had also spent substantially more. The figures provide a snapshot of each campaign’s reported financial activity before Tuesday’s election.
| Candidate | Money raised | Money spent |
|---|---|---|
| Young Boozer | $144,100 | $270,000 |
| Rosilyn Houston | $76,400 | $64,800 |
The reports show Boozer’s campaign had raised $144,100 and spent $270,000. Houston’s campaign had raised $76,400 and spent $64,800. The source material does not provide a breakdown of the campaigns’ donors, advertising or other expenditures.
What voters are deciding
The race presents voters with two different approaches to the office. Boozer’s campaign points to experience, past work on state financial programs and the return of unclaimed property. Houston is emphasizing public visibility, expanded financial education and a more connected relationship between the treasurer’s office and Alabama residents.
- Young Boozer: Republican incumbent and former treasurer who returned to the office by appointment in 2021.
- Rosilyn Houston: Democratic nominee and retired banker campaigning on transparency and financial literacy.
- Election timing: Alabama voters will make their choice next Tuesday.
Because the office manages and protects state finances, the election will determine both who holds responsibility for those duties and which priorities guide the treasurer’s public-facing work. The choice will come down to whether voters favor Boozer’s record and institutional experience or Houston’s call for more detailed public reporting and broader financial education.
