Tommy Tuberville launches campaign for Alabama governor
Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has officially launched his campaign for governor of Alabama, opting against seeking reelection in the Senate. Tuberville, a former Auburn football coach known for his staunch support of Donald Trump, made his announcement during an appearance on Fox NewsS *The Will Cain Show* and has since created a campaign website and social media presence to engage voters.
In his statement,Tuberville expressed his motivation to run as a means to benefit Alabama and emphasized his leadership skills as a “builder” and “recruiter.” He is seen as the leading candidate to succeed Governor Kay Ivey, who is term-limited.His decision comes amidst a trend of lawmakers leaving congressional positions for state executive roles; Tuberville joins other senators, such as Michael Bennet and Marsha Blackburn, who are also eyeing governorships.
The Republican landscape in Alabama is solid,meaning the winner of the GOP primary is likely to assume the governorship.Tuberville’s move was anticipated, as he had been discussing the possibility for months with colleagues, and his campaign launch coincided with the Memorial Day recess.
Despite his time in the Senate, Tuberville has faced criticism over his decisions, including his temporary blockade of military nominations tied to the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy. As he prepares for his gubernatorial campaign, speculation grows about potential candidates for his Senate seat, with several Alabama Republicans already being floated as contenders.
Tuberville launches run for Alabama governor, forgoing Senate reelection
Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) launched his campaign for governor of Alabama on Tuesday, becoming the latest senator to snub national politics in favor of an executive post.
Tuberville, the former Auburn football coach who rose to national prominence as a fierce defender of President Donald Trump, released a campaign website and updated X account on Tuesday afternoon, with his formal announcement made on Fox News’s The Will Cain Show.
“I’m doing this to help this country and the great state of Alabama,” Tuberville said, broadcasting his announcement from a campaign event in Alabama. “I’m a football coach. I’m a leader. I’m a builder. I’m a recruiter. And we’re going to grow Alabama.”
Tuberville is the second member of the Senate to pursue a gubernatorial run this year, following a decision by Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) in April. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) is also giving “serious consideration” to the office held by Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN).
Tuberville is considered the instant front-runner in a race to succeed Gov. Kay Ivey (R-AL), who is term-limited.
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth (R-AL) had been weighing a challenge but instead opted not to run last week. Tuberville also drew preemptive support from the Club for Growth, a small-government outside group that poured tens of millions into the 2024 election cycle.
Alabama is ruby red, meaning the Republican nominee in next year’s May primary is likely to become governor.
Tuberville’s departure from the Senate had been anticipated for months. He has been speaking with colleagues about a gubernatorial run since at least March, with his announcement timed to the Memorial Day recess.
He joins a growing number of senators who are deciding against another term in Washington. On top of Bennet, who is not up for reelection until 2028, four Senate Democrats are simply retiring from office altogether in 2026, as is Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) after a 17-year stint as GOP leader.
Tuberville, elected to the Senate in 2020, has been rewarded by the new Republican majority in Washington, receiving a March vote on his bill banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. The legislation ultimately failed with no Democrats voting to overcome the Senate’s filibuster.
But he has faced backlash on Capitol Hill as well, mounting an unsuccessful blockade of military nominees in protest of the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy in 2023. Tuberville, 70, eventually dropped the blockade after 10 months and withering pressure from both parties.
In the last Congress, then-Sen. Mike Braun, now the governor of Indiana, cited frustration with the gridlock in Washington as he retired, acknowledging it was unusual for a senator to return to state office.
A governorship is often viewed as a springboard to national politics, with many politicians aspiring to finish their careers in the Senate. Yet congressional leadership has struggled to recruit governors in a spate of battleground states this cycle.
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On the GOP side, ex-Gov. Chris Sununu and Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) have decided against Senate runs in New Hampshire and Georgia, respectively, while Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) declined to vie for the seat of retiring Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) in Michigan for Democrats.
Ainsworth has said he is not interested in running for Tuberville’s Senate seat, but the vacancy could draw multiple Alabama Republicans. Among the names floated are John Merrill, the one-time secretary of state, and Kent Davis, the former Veterans Affairs commissioner.
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