In a high-level staff reshuffling at the Alabama Statehouse, Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, announced Friday that Chief of Staff Tim Howe will leave his post to helm FORGEPAC’s incumbent protection program ahead of the 2026 election cycle. Stepping into the vacancy is Jess Skaggs, current chief of staff to Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth.
“Tim’s political background and experience makes him the perfect choice to head FORGEPAC’s incumbent protection efforts and preserve our supermajority of conservative Republicans in the Alabama Senate,” Gudger said. “Jess has served Lt. Gov. Ainsworth exceptionally well as his chief of staff and will bring the trust and relationships he has built with members of the State Senate to my office.”
Howe, a longtime GOP strategist and former executive director of the Alabama Republican Party, has run or consulted on dozens of statewide and legislative campaigns. He was first hired as chief of staff to then-President Pro Tem Greg Reed in 2023 and continued under Gudger after his election to the chamber’s top leadership post earlier this year.
“I’m fortunate these two men are willing to assume these new positions, which fit the specific talents and skill sets that each possess, and help us continue providing commonsense conservative leadership to the Alabamians we swore an oath to serve,” Gudger added.
Skaggs joined Ainsworth’s staff as deputy chief of staff in 2019 and was elevated to chief of staff in 2022. During his tenure, he helped advance key priorities in Ainsworth’s agenda, including legislation to eliminate the state’s sales tax on groceries, expand workforce development programs, and improve resources for military families.
“Jess has been an incredible and loyal employee, and he shares in much of our success,” Ainsworth said. “His relationships with the senators and his knowledge of the legislative process will be as much of an asset to Pro Tem Gudger as they have been to me.”
The transition is expected to be completed by the end of August.
