Alabama News Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill The head of the Alabama Democratic Party says he wants an investigation into Republican Secretary of State John Merrill. Merrill announced last week that he would not be seeking political office in next year’s elections. He has said he made choices that were not in the best interest of his family. He told al.com that he had an inappropriate relationship with a woman outside his marriage. “We’ve been clear, John Merrill’s personal life is just that – personal. But what is not personal is access to state resources like a state vehicle, state cell phone and any other taxpayer funded benefits of being Alabama’s Secretary of State,” Alabama Democratic Party Executive Director Wade Perry said in a statement.