HOOVER, Ala. (AP) — Republican U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville officially declared his candidacy for the 2026 Alabama gubernatorial race on Monday. This announcement marks Tuberville's shift from seeking a second term in the Senate to pursuing the governorship, a move he previously hinted at last year. The former Auburn University football coach filed the necessary paperwork at the Alabama Republican Party headquarters, stating his ambition to be the "chief recruiter to make our state better."
In his statement, Tuberville emphasized a commitment to improving the standard of living for Alabamians, noting, "It's time to come home, put together a staff and worry about the state of Alabama and the people here. People deserve a better state every day that they live here." His entrance into the race is expected to deter other Republican candidates from entering the contest to succeed current Republican Governor Kay Ivey.
On the Democratic side, former U.S. Senator Doug Jones, who was defeated by Tuberville in 2020, has also announced his gubernatorial campaign, paving the way for a potential rematch in the upcoming election.
During a press conference on Monday, Tuberville outlined key priorities for his gubernatorial campaign. He stressed the importance of business recruitment, saying, "We have 500,000 people in this state who make less than $30,000 a year. That should be against the law. We've got to get people better jobs. We've got to incentivize people to work." In addition to economic issues, Tuberville indicated that education, infrastructure, and fraud prevention would be vital areas of focus if he takes office. However, he did not elaborate on specific policy proposals.
Tuberville also addressed the topic of a potential state lottery, stating he is open to the idea but believes it would not serve as a sufficient revenue source for the state. His candidacy has been met with scrutiny from some Democrats, particularly regarding his residency qualification for serving as governor. According to the Alabama Constitution, governors must have been "resident citizens of this state" for a minimum of seven years. Although Tuberville owns a $270,000 home in Auburn and claims a homestead exemption, he also possesses a $4 million beach home in Walton County, Florida.
Responding to questions about his residency, Tuberville maintained, "I have been a resident. It's not an issue." He acknowledged that he spends a significant amount of time out of Alabama, particularly while in Washington, D.C., but pointed out his frequent attendance at Auburn football games throughout the year, reinforcing his ties to the state.
Tuberville enters this race with a track record of positioning himself as a political outsider, closely aligning with former President Donald Trump during his successful Senate campaign in 2020. His Senate tenure has been marked by contentious moments, including a prolonged blockade on military promotions in 2023, stemming from his opposition to a Pentagon policy that allocated travel funds for military personnel seeking abortions in states where those procedures are banned.
As the 2026 gubernatorial election approaches, Tuberville's candidacy is likely to reshape the political landscape in Alabama, bringing attention to key issues facing the state while setting the stage for an intriguing electoral battle in what is expected to be a highly competitive race.
