A Republican candidate for Alabama attorney general has been accused of accepting 'dark money' donations after records revealed contributions from out-of-state organizations. Katherine Robertson, 41, received a $200,000 donation from the Virginia-based political action committee Frontline Victory Fund on Friday, according to her monthly public disclosure. The same group donated $300,000 to Robertson, who is the chief counsel for outgoing Attorney General Steve Marshall, in January.
Frontline Victory Fund, a group that works to elect Republican attorneys general across the country, officially endorsed Robertson in February. 'Katherine Robertson has spent her career protecting Alabamians' freedoms, promoting safety and security, and upholding conservative values,' said Frontline Victory Fund president Jessica Anderson. 'With her proven experience and strong voice, she is the only candidate who can truly safeguard free speech, protect children against indoctrination and left-wing ideology, and ensure Alabama remains the most pro-law enforcement state in the country. The stakes are high to elect the next Attorney General who will uphold an America First agenda and defend Alabama's values without compromise.'
In June 2025, she received a $1 million donation from the Tennessee-based group First Principles Action, according to records. First Principles is led by Peter Bisbee, who previously worked for the Republican Attorneys General Association and the Federalist Society, according to 1819 News.
Robertson's opponents in the upcoming Republican primary have accused her of accepting 'dark money.' AG candidate and former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Jay Mitchell has been a vocal critic. 'It's a bold choice for Ms. Robertson to brag about fundraising when she won't tell us where half of her funds are from,' Mitchell told AL.com. 'Katherine Robertson's campaign has funneled $1.95 million in dark money through shell groups you've never heard of that operate out of P.O. Boxes in far off states. Her candidacy depends on an endless web of lawyers and accountants whose full-time jobs are to hide donors from the people of Alabama.'
Candidate Pamela Casey, Blount County District Attorney, told the outlet: 'It's called dark money. Over half of her funding comes from sources the public cannot trace that goes around Alabama campaign finance laws.' Casey added, 'I strongly encourage the public to research exactly where her money is coming from - research those out-of-state contributions that can be tied to companies created within weeks or months of contributions to her.'
Robertson defended the donations in an interview on Alabama Public Television's Capitol Journal last week. 'I don't understand what the big difference is,' Robertson said, comparing the donations to money given by Alabama PACs which pool funds from multiple contributors. 'When you get a big check from a PAC, a lot of different people are pouring into that, and that's just the way it is. It's obviously legal. If the legislature wants to change the way that we do business with campaign finance, I'd be perfectly fine with that.'
Records show that Robertson has raised $3.8 million for her campaign, Mitchell has raised $3.77 million, and Casey has raised $149,455 and loaned her campaign $500,000. The Daily Mail contacted Robertson, Mitchell, Casey, Frontline Victory Fund, and First Principles Action for comment.
