Rick Pate Launches Campaign for Alabama Lieutenant Governor in 2026
Says he has “something left in the tank,” wants to continue to serve the people of Alabama
Rick Pate, Alabama’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, announced Monday that he will be running for Lieutenant Governor in the 2026 election. Pate is term-limited as Ag Commissioner, and seeks to continue his public service by advocating for farmers, small businesses, rural communities, and veterans.
ALPolitics.com reached out to Pate about why he’s running for Lt. Governor:
“My family and I are excited about this, we've been talking about it for several months. Obviously, I've enjoyed being Ag Commissioner for the last 6 1/2 years and feel like we've got so much accomplished. I just feel like I’ve got something left in the tank, and I wanted to do something to meaningful with the time. I looked around and there really wasn’t a lot of other opportunities for something I thought I would enjoy and be really good at,” Pate said.
“I’ve spent my life working the land, running a business, and serving my neighbors,” Pate told another news outlet. “As Lieutenant Governor, I’ll bring that same hands-on leadership to supporting President Trump and Coach Tuberville in advancing the America First Agenda—so Alabama stays a place where families thrive, agriculture prospers, and conservative values lead the way.”
Pate's decision to run for lieutenant governor comes as U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) announces his own bid for governor in 2026. Pate cited a close personal friendship with Tuberville as a factor in his decision.
Page grew up on a cattle farm in Lowndes County and received his degree in horticulture from Auburn University in 1978. He founded Pate Landscape Co., which he operated for 38 years, and served as Mayor of Lowndesboro for 14 years before being elected Agriculture Commissioner in 2018. He was re-elected without major party opposition in 2022.
During his tenure as Commissioner, Pate launched the “Sweet Grown Alabama” branding program to promote local agricultural products, expanded the State’s Farm-to-School initiative, and led the “Thank a Farmer” campaign to increase public appreciation for farmers. He also oversaw the opening of a new Pesticide Residue Lab in Auburn and secured funding to support Alabama’s meat and poultry inspection programs.
Pate has served as the President of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture and was elected as an RNC delegate and one of the nine Alabama Electoral College electors for President Donald J. Trump in both 2020 and 2024.
“Food security is national security,” Pate said. “Our farmers are frontline workers and often underappreciated, and I’m committed to ensuring they have the support they need to feed Alabama and beyond.”
Pate enters a growing Republican field for lieutenant governor, including Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, Nicole Wadsworth, and potentially, Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl. Alabama’s primary elections will be held on May 19, 2026.
For more information on Pate and his campaign, his campaign website is HERE, and his campaign Facebook page is HERE.
