Is the AEA supporting republican school board candidates?

Two Republican incumbents on the state school board face challenges in the GOP primary Tuesday from newcomers with a huge advantage in campaign funds, raising speculation they’re undercover Democrats getting help from the Alabama Education Association.

District 1 incumbent Randy McKinney of Gulf Shores is being challenged by Paul Christopher of Mobile.

Campaign finance reports filed this week show Christopher out front with $158,175 to McKinney’s $22,460

McKinney said he’s drawn the ire of AEA by voting against double-dipping by legislators paid by two-year colleges and backing current Chancellor Bradley Byrne.

AEA’s chief lobbyist, Paul Hubbert, said speculation that AEA is challenging the incumbents to shift the board’s makeup is just rumor. But while neither of the challengers reported receiving money from AEA’s political action committee — Alabama Voice of Teachers in Education — both received large amounts from RACE PAC, which listed A-VOTE as one of its contributors.

Party loyalty of some questioned in GOP primary for SBOE