By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Businessman Josh Jones formally announced Thursday that he had suspended his campaign for governor as a Republican.
“I am thankful for the incredible people of Alabama,” Jones said. “Thank you for all the support and prayers through this process. Though this campaign has come to an end may we bind together and not let the establishment and ‘Old Alabama Politics’ continue to lead our great State into mediocrity. May God’s grace deliver a Statesman to lead!”
Jones is a Birmingham area businessman. He grew up on a farm in Jackson and is a University of Alabama graduate.
When Jones announced his campaign, he said, “Alabama needs a Statesman, someone who is willing to step away from the business world, serve the people of Alabama and then go home allowing others to serve. We don’t need career politicians whose thoughts and decisions are crowded by their next election or appointment. I will run with integrity, win with class, serve with conviction, and go home.”
On Friday, the Alabama Political Reporter reported that Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan will be running for treasurer instead of governor.
In 2017, Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh moved her candidacy from the governor’s race to lieutenant governor. Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington announced that he was dropping out of the race for governor. Former Morgan County Commissioner Stacy George dropped out of the race in November and endorsed Gov. Kay Ivey.
Ivey is expected to formally qualify at Republican headquarters in Hoover today. State Sen. Bill Hightower, R-Mobile, Evangelist Scott Dawson and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle are all running in the Republican primary.
LGBTQ activist Chris Countryman, progressive think tank founder Jason Childs, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter “Walt” Maddox and former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb are all running in the Democratic primary.
State Auditor Jim Zeigler is reportedly still exploring running for governor. Zeigler may also run for another term as auditor.
Candidate qualifying for the two major parties for governor and dozens of other offices opens this week.
The major party primaries are on June 5. Independent and minor party candidates have until then to collect the necessary signatures and paperwork in order to qualify for ballot access.
