On Tuesday afternoon, Alabama Republican Chairman John Wahl emailed members of the ALGOP State Executive Committee (SEC), hinting at his plans to announce a campaign for lieutenant governor in 2026.

In the email addressed to fellow SEC members, Wahl expressed gratitude for their collective efforts and achievements as a party.

“I want to personally reach out to let you know I’m taking the lieutenant governor’s race very seriously. This isn’t a decision I make lightly; I’m praying for wisdom and guidance. More than ever, we need individuals willing to stand firm on our platform and counter the emerging left-wing media,” he stated.

Wahl described his decision as both challenging and bittersweet. While he is excited about furthering party values through a run for lieutenant governor, it also means he would have to step down from his position as party chair.

Relatedly, Wahl, in his late 30s, has established a conservative political background that’s quite impressive for his age. He served as communications director for Roy Moore’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign, field director for the party in 2012, and later as senior vice president of the party. He also made history in 2021 by becoming the youngest GOP party chair in the U.S.

Now, he’s enthusiastic about running for a statewide position in 2026.

“I’ve received a lot of encouragement to run, but I want to involve you in this process before making a final decision. I deeply value the friendship, support, and wisdom of each SEC member. Your thoughts and prayers are very important to me,” he added.

Reports suggest that if Wahl formally enters the race for lieutenant governor, he will likely need to resign as chairman, as per ALGOP’s bylaws, rather than just taking a leave of absence.