Rep. Philip Ensler Declines Reelection Bid

On Monday, Rep. Philip Ensler shared his decision not to pursue a second term in the Alabama House of Representatives. He plans to return to New York after completing his term in 2026.

In his announcement, Ensler (D. Montgomery) expressed gratitude for the support he received. “After considerable reflection, I’ve chosen not to seek reelection next year,” he stated. “I can’t fully articulate how thankful I am to everyone who has been part of this journey. Your belief in Alabama means the world to me.”

Ensler was first elected in 2022 to represent House District 74, where he won against the incumbent Republican with 60% of the vote. Throughout his time in office, Ensler focused on issues like public education, mental health access, and gun safety reforms.

He made several attempts to ban machine gun conversion devices, often referred to as Glock switches. While his specific proposal didn’t pass, a related bill supported by Republican lawmakers was enacted in 2025 as part of Gov. Kay Ivey’s “Safe Alabama” initiative.

Currently, Ensler serves on committees related to Financial Services, Insurance, and Small Businesses. House District 74 encompasses a suburban section of Montgomery County.

Additionally, Ensler co-chaired the Alabama Jewish Legislative Caucus, which sought to foster connections between Alabama legislators and Jewish Americans and aimed to address anti-Semitic violence both locally and nationally.

His journey to Montgomery began in 2012 when he moved there with Teach for America and taught at Lee High School. He later worked as a civil rights attorney and served as a senior policy advisor to the Montgomery mayor before entering the political arena.

Reflecting on his time in Alabama, Ensler mentioned, “I’ve formed meaningful connections within the community that I cherish. These relationships will continue to inspire me, and I look forward to maintaining them.” His final legislative session will commence on January 13, 2026.