Garlan Gudger Qualifies for State Senate Seat Reelection Bid

Alabama State Senator Garlan Gudger has officially qualified to run for another term representing Alabama Senate District 4, filing his paperwork Monday with the Alabama Republican Party for the 2026 election. District 4 covers Cullman, Marion and Winston counties.

Writing on Facebook, Gudger said 

“I’ve officially qualified for another term representing Senate District 4. I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the people of Cullman, Marion, and Winston counties, standing firm for conservative values, and working each day to deliver meaningful results for our communities. I look forward to continuing this work and building on the progress we’ve made for Alabama and our communities.”

In a press statement Monday, Gudger said he has stood firm for conservative principles since joining the Alabama Senate. “Since joining the Alabama Senate, I have stood tall promoting the conservative Alabama beliefs and values that make our state and our district such special places to live, work, worship, and raise families,” he said. “It is important that we keep working hard to prevent the liberal Democrats and the woke activists from gaining a toehold in the Alabama State House, and I stand ready to lead the fight.”

Gudger, who was first elected in 2018, has backed a range of laws and policy efforts aligned with his conservative base. Among them are measures restricting access in sports and school facilities based on biological sex, and laws to create the crime of “ballot harvesting” to address what supporters said was voter fraud.

His record also includes legislation aimed at keeping churches and businesses open during declared emergencies. He has secured road, bridge, school and community college funding for the district, and championed First Responder and Veteran health programs.

One signature initiative expanded hospital visitation rights after the pandemic. In response to a constituent’s loss during COVID-19 restrictions, Gudger sponsored a law that requires hospitals to allow a designated “essential care giver” at the bedside for at least two hours daily.

On tax policy, he helped advance what supporters described as the largest tax cut in Alabama history by cutting the State sales tax on groceries in half and has been a key figure in conservative public safety legislation.

Gudger’s leadership role in the Senate has grown in recent years. His colleagues elected him Senate President Pro Tempore in early 2025, the chamber’s highest leadership post, an uncommon achievement for a second-term Senator.

Gudger and his wife Heather operate Southern Accents, a nationally recognized architectural salvage business based in Cullman. The business traces its roots to his father’s garage and has earned multiple honors, including “Best Antique Store in Alabama.”

The Gudgers are active in their community and church, and the family regularly participates in mission work abroad.

Primary voters will go to the polls May 19, 2026, with the general election set for Nov. 3, 2026.