Tuberville to Run for Alabama Governor
Incumbent U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville has officially declared his intention to run for Governor of Alabama in the 2026 Republican primary.
In an announcement made live from Byron’s Smokehouse in Auburn during an exclusive TV interview on “The Wilcaine Show” on Fox News, Tuberville shared his decision.
“I began my Senate journey nearly seven years ago, right here in the same building,” Tuberville (R-Auburn) stated.
With friends and family, including his three-month-old granddaughter, Rosie Grace, showing support, he expressed his gratitude for being in Auburn. “My wife Suzanne and I have lived here for over 25 years. Coaching here led us to some wonderful friendships.”
“A few years back, I felt a calling to fight for this great nation. President Trump was instrumental in my Senate race and has backed me ever since. Today, I’m excited to announce my candidacy for Governor of Alabama.”
Though Tuberville was anticipated to seek re-election for another six-year term in the Senate, he ultimately chose to pursue the governorship. He began discussing his plans with donors and felt ready to make his move after months of contemplation.
He added on Tuesday that he’s committed to fulfilling his current Senate term.
On his newly launched campaign website, Tuberville outlined his “Alabama First Agenda,” which includes combating “Woke Ideology,” expanding school choice, upholding Second Amendment rights, reducing taxes, cutting government waste, and revitalizing manufacturing in Alabama.
His campaign has rebranded with elements from his 2020 campaign logo and announced new official social media channels.
As governor, he also promised to strengthen border enforcement, deport undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds, and oppose taxpayer-funded abortions, all while supporting Alabama’s farmers and veterans.
Tuberville cites his endorsement from President Trump as a significant boost for his campaign.
His path seems more defined as anticipated challenger Gognel Ainsworth has decided to step back from running. Ainsworth, who was the only GOP challenger raising sufficient funds to pose a real threat, will be focusing on his career in the private sector as his children finish high school.
This isn’t the first time Tuberville has considered running for office. In 2017, he initiated steps to run after former governor Robert Bentley resigned, even investing $100,000 to explore the possibility. However, that effort was eventually dropped. Instead, he supported Governor Kay Ivey during her election bid.
Tuberville made a significant leap into politics in 2020, successfully challenging Democrat Senator Doug Jones in the primary, overcoming competition from former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Since taking office in January 2021, Tuberville has consistently garnered over 60% of the vote against opponents.
The race for 2026 officially kicked off fundraising on May 19. As of Tuesday afternoon, Tuberville hadn’t yet formed a major campaign committee with the Alabama Secretary of State, but he has ample time before qualifiers close in January 2026.
Despite being the frontrunner, Tuberville needs to focus on fundraising, although he reported a balance of over $600,000 in his Senate campaign account, which Alabama laws allow him to transfer for his gubernatorial campaign.
Discussions about Tuberville’s ability to meet Alabama’s stricter residency requirements for governor compared to the Senate have emerged but seem to have quieted down in recent months.
As he gears up for this new chapter, Tuberville reaffirmed his commitment to helping Alabama. “I’m doing this for our great state and country,” he said. “I’m a football coach—a leader, a builder, a recruiter. We aim to enhance manufacturing, tackle illegal immigration, and revitalize education.” He expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with President Trump, stressing the importance of overcoming the challenges ahead to win the governor’s race.
