Finally! Senator Tommy Tuberville Announces 2026 Gubernatorial Bid
Announcement ends months of speculation as to Tuberville’s next race
On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) officially declared his candidacy for Governor of Alabama in the 2026 election, opting not to seek a second term in the Senate. The announcement, made during an appearance on Fox News, had been widely anticipated following months of speculation.
The announcement was accompanied by the launch of his campaign website, CoachforGovernor.com, and a change is his Twitter account to @CoachforGov.
The campaign website features a quote from President Donald Trump, calling Tuberville, “A great champion and man of courage.”
Tuberville's entry into the gubernatorial race significantly reshapes Alabama's political landscape. His decision follows the recent withdrawal of Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth from the race. Ainsworth announced last week that he would not pursue the governorship.
Another potential gubernatorial candidate, Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, has indicated he is now seriously considering a run for lieutenant governor in 2026.
Tuberville, 71, is a former college football coach renowned for his tenure at Auburn University from 1999 to 2008, including an undefeated 13-0 season in 2004. He later coached at Texas Tech and the University of Cincinnati. In 2020, with the endorsement of then-President Donald Trump, Tuberville defeated former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the Republican primary and went on to unseat Democratic incumbent Doug Jones in the general election.
Tuberville is an immensely popular figure in Alabama politics, especially among the Republican base. A mock poll conducted during a January meeting of the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce indicated strong support for Tuberville among potential Republican candidates. Among 136 responses, 49% favored Tuberville compared to 33% for Ainsworth and 11% for Pate. Former U.S. Ambassador and previous gubernatorial candidate Lynda Blanchard rounded out the poll with 4%.
With Tuberville's Senate seat becoming open in 2026, attention now turns to potential candidates who may vie for the position. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is among those speculated to consider a run. Admiral W. Kent Davis has also been mentioned as a potential Senatorial candidate.
With Tuberville currently the clear front runner for the Republican nomination, it remains to be seen if any Alabama Republican of any stature will challenge him. Tuberville‘s announcement is also fueling speculation as to just which Democrat, if any, can effectively challenge him for the Governor’s seat.
