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Sen. Tommy Tuberville announces run for governor in 2026

Tuberville will run for Alabama governor in 2026, leaving his Senate seat an open race.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., during a Senate Committee on Armed Services - Subcommittee on Personnel oversight hearing to examine the status of the Military Service Academies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 26, 2025. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced Tuesday that instead of seeking a second term in the Senate, he is running for governor of Alabama in 2026. Gov. Kay Ivey, who is term-limited, will have served in the position for nearly a decade when her term ends in January 2027. 

Tuberville announced his campaign on Fox News’ The Will Cain Show, ending weeks of speculation about his political plans.

“Today, I will announce that I will be the future governor of the great state of Alabama,” said Tuberville. “I’m a football coach. I’m a leader. I’m a builder. I’m a recruiter, and we’re going to grow Alabama.” 

He pledged to improve education, bring manufacturing jobs to the state and halt illegal immigration.

Tuberville began his political career in 2020 when he defeated former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the Republican Senate primary, receiving 61 percent of the vote. Backed by then-President Donald Trump, Tuberville defeated Democratic Sen. Doug Jones, returning the seat to GOP control. 

During his Senate tenure, he’s closely aligned with Trump and made headlines in 2023 for blocking hundreds of military promotions in protest of a Pentagon policy supporting abortion access for service members. The move drew national criticism and was labeled by Democrats as an “embarrassment” for the state.

Before announcing his gubernatorial run, Tuberville’s hypothetical positioning preemptively impacted Alabama’s race for governor. Groups such as the Club for Growth have backed him early, and potential rivals like Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth have opted not to run, signaling Tuberville’s dominance in the race. 

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Although Trump has not formally endorsed Tuberville’s campaign for governor, Tuberville cited Trump’s past support during his announcement and reiterated his alignment with the former president and his support of Tuberville’s campaign.

Tuberville’s decision to run leaves his Senate seat open in the 2026 midterm elections, adding another layer of intrigue with a wide-open race for Alabama’s second seat.

“I’m doing this to help this country and the great state of Alabama,” said Tuberville.

Mary Claire is a reporter at APR.

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