Alabama Senate Leadership Transition Ahead of 2026 Elections

On Friday, Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Gadger announced some strategic changes to his legislative team in anticipation of the 2026 election cycle.

Tim Howe, who has been serving as Chief of Staff since 2023, will be leaving his position to lead the incumbent protection initiative at Forge PAC. This political action committee aims to sustain the Republican supermajority in the Senate.

Jess Skaggs is set to replace Howe as Chief of Staff. Currently, Skaggs is the Chief of Staff for Governor Will Ainsworth.

“We’re fortunate that both of these individuals are ready to step into these new roles. They possess the specific skills and talents that will help us continue offering sensible, conservative leadership to Alabamians,” Gudger remarked.

Skaggs has been with Ainsworth since 2022, following a four-year tenure in various roles related to the governor’s office.

Both Ainsworth and Gudger emphasized that Skaggs is aligned with advancing the Senate’s legislative agenda, which focuses on key issues like the sales tax on food, workforce expansion, and support for Alabama’s military community.

“Jess has been an incredibly loyal team member, and his past experiences will be invaluable for Pro Tem, just as they were for me,” Ainsworth stated.

In previous positions, Skaggs has served as a legislative aide to Sen. Trip Pittman, directed the Baldwin County legislative delegation, and worked as a deputy committee member on agriculture and foreign industry matters.

“Jess effectively supported Lt. Col. Ainsworth in his role as Chief of Staff, bringing essential trust and connections to our office,” Gudger noted.

In 2023, former President Pro Tem Greg Reid appointed Howe to the Chief of Staff position, and he continued in that capacity when Gudger took over the role earlier this year.

Howe is recognized as one of the state’s foremost political strategists. Previously, he led the Alabama Republican Party, playing a significant role in the GOP’s major resurgence in the state legislature after more than a century.

According to Gudger, Howe will be analyzing the upcoming 2026 election cycle to aid Republican efforts in the Alabama Senate.

“With Tim’s political expertise, he is ideally suited to lead the efforts for protecting our Republican majority in the Senate,” Gudger affirmed.

The transition is expected to be finalized by the end of August.