Montgomery, AL (BuzzReport) — A candidate in Alabama’s upcoming U.S. Senate race Dale Deas, Jr. is accusing Katie Britt, the Republican senator representing Alabama, of having deep political and financial ties to the state’s dominant electric utility and a powerful billionaire donor network.
The claims center on the relationship between Britt, Alabama Power, and Birmingham investor Raymond Harbert, a prominent Republican donor and private-equity executive. The candidate alleges that Britt’s political rise was heavily supported by a network of political action committees funded by Harbert and that the arrangement reflects what they describe as a broader political and regulatory system benefiting utility interests.
Campaign Funding Allegations
According to the Senate challenger, Harbert provided at least $625,000 to the Alabama Conservatives Fund, a super PAC that supported Britt’s 2022 Senate campaign. Super PACs can raise and spend unlimited funds from individuals, corporations, and organizations under the rules established following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling.
The candidate claims the funding helped create a political network supporting Britt’s election and future campaigns. Harbert, founder of the investment firm Harbert Management Corporation, has long been a major donor in Alabama Republican politics.
Critics of the current campaign finance system say large donations to super PACs can give wealthy donors outsized influence in elections. Supporters of the system argue the groups are legally independent from campaigns and protected under free speech rulings.
Family Lobbying Ties
The Senate candidate also raised concerns about Britt’s husband, Wesley Britt, a former NFL player who now works as a lobbyist with the Montgomery-based firm Fine Geddie & Associates. The firm represents multiple clients, including Alabama Power.
Wesley Britt previously held government-relations positions with Alabama Power before joining the lobbying firm. The candidate argues that the connection creates a potential conflict of interest because the senator’s household income is linked to a lobbying firm representing the state’s largest electric utility.
There is no evidence that Sen. Britt has violated any ethics laws, and members of Congress are not prohibited from having spouses who work in lobbying or corporate roles.
Energy Costs and Power Generation
The candidate also criticized the structure of Alabama’s electricity pricing and energy generation system. Roughly 45% of electricity generated by Alabama Power comes from natural gas-fired plants, according to energy industry data.
Utilities in Alabama can recover fuel and purchased-power costs through regulatory mechanisms approved by the Alabama Public Service Commission. These adjustment clauses allow utilities to pass fluctuations in fuel prices to customers rather than absorbing them as direct losses.
The candidate claims that this cost-recovery system benefits investors tied to natural-gas generation assets. Harbert’s investment firm manages funds that include stakes in energy infrastructure, including gas-fired power plants through vehicles such as Gulf Pacific Power LLC.
Data Center Power Pricing
Another criticism involves power pricing arrangements for large industrial customers, particularly data centers. The Senate candidate alleges that special rate agreements can shift infrastructure and fuel costs onto residential and small-business customers.
Utilities and regulators often defend such arrangements as tools for economic development, arguing that attracting large employers and technology investments can boost local economies and create jobs.
Regulatory Connections
The candidate also pointed to campaign donations made by Harbert to members of the Alabama Public Service Commission, including former commission president Twinkle Cavanaugh. The PSC regulates utilities in Alabama and approves rate structures and cost-recovery mechanisms for companies such as Alabama Power.
Cavanaugh stepped down from the commission in 2025 after being appointed to a leadership position at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office during the administration of Donald Trump.
Political Challenge Ahead
The accusations come as Alabama’s Senate races draw early attention ahead of future election cycles. Britt currently serves alongside fellow Republican senator Tommy Tuberville, whose seat will also eventually be contested.
The challenger said the allegations are part of a broader campaign effort to highlight what they describe as corporate influence in Alabama politics and the state’s utility regulation system.
Britt’s office has not publicly responded to the latest accusations. Alabama Power has previously maintained that its rates and fuel cost adjustments are subject to regulatory oversight and necessary to maintain reliable electric service.
The Senate candidate said additional claims and policy proposals related to energy regulation and campaign finance will be released as the campaign progresses.