Monday marked a major milestone in Alabama’s 2026 election cycle with the beginning of the Republican and Democratic parties’ candidate qualifying.
Qualifying opened at 8:30 on Monday morning and will run through Friday, January 23, at 5 p.m. Prospective candidates must formally file for candidacy during the period to be eligible for Alabama’s elected state and federal offices.
Republican candidates may complete qualifying online at algop.org/2026-candidate-qualifying or in person at the party’s headquarters at 3505 Lorna Road, Hoover, Alabama.
Democrat candidates may qualify either online at aldemocrats.org/2026-candidate-qualifying or in person at the Alabama Democratic Party headquarters at 501 Adams Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama.
In order to qualify for candidacy for a state position, applicants must meet minimum requirements for their desired office, complete and file a Declaration of Candidacy form with their party, alongside a qualifying fee, file a Statement of Economic Interests with the Alabama Ethics Commission and an Appointment of Principal Campaign Committee form with the Office of Secretary of State Elections Division.
Qualifying fees are based on 2 percent of the base salary of their offices and ranging from $4,782 $1,333.
Additionally, candidates must have received or spent at least $1,000 for their campaign to qualify.
Judicial candidates must also file a Disclosure Statement of Financial Interests with the Alabama Supreme Court clerk within 10 days of qualifying.
Candidates for federal offices must file a Declaration of Candidacy with their party, alongside a qualifying fee, and must complete additional filing requirements with the Federal Election Commission.
Ahead of the start of qualifying, Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl shared support for Alabama’s Republican candidates in a written statement.
“We’ve had a lot of outstanding conservatives already announce their candidacy for office, and I’m looking forward to meeting them as qualifying begins,” Wahl said. “Alabama has no shortage of exceptionally qualified people willing to step up and serve, and that’s a good thing for our state.”
“This is always an exciting time because it’s when campaigns really start to take shape,” he said. “I’m looking forward to watching who qualifies for what office and, ultimately, seeing who Republican voters across Alabama choose to be our nominees.”
Among incumbent candidates who qualified for reelection on Monday were Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, and U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt, R-Alabama.
Gudger highlighted his conservative track record in a Monday statement announcing his official filing for 2026.
“Since joining the Alabama Senate, I have stood tall promoting the conservative Alabama beliefs and values that make our state and our district such special places to live, work, worship, and raise families,” Gudger said. “It is important that we keep working hard to prevent the liberal Democrats and the woke activists from gaining a toehold in the Alabama State House, and I stand ready to lead the fight.”
In his bid for reelection to Alabama’s 4th State Senate District, Gudger faces Republican challenger James Bowling, who also qualified for candidacy on Monday.
Aderholt, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for U.S. President Donald Trump’s endorsement of his reelection bid “and for the continued trust of the people of the Fourth District.”
“Serving the people of this district has always been my top priority, and I look forward to continuing that work on behalf of Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District,” the congressman added.
State Democrats have similarly sought to engage the attention of voters and prospective candidates with the official start of the 2026 election season.
Jefferson County Democratic Party Chair Josh Coleman argued the importance of qualifying for Democrats looking to secure reelection or expand the party’s reach throughout Jefferson County, in a Monday statement published by APR.
“The work of governing doesn’t start on Election Day—it starts now,” Coleman said. “We are encouraging candidates who believe in service, accountability, and moving Jefferson County forward to take part in this process.”
Coleman has called on individuals interested in running as a Democrat for the Jefferson County School Board 4th District and the Jefferson County Commission 4th and 5th districts, which currently do not have Democratic candidates, to contact his office.
“You don’t have to be a ‘career politician’ or have it all figured out. Sometimes it just starts with a conversation,” Coleman wrote. “We’re focused on showing up everywhere and making sure voters always have a choice on the ballot.”
Keith Pilkington, Democratic candidate for Alabama’s 6th Congressional District, who is among Democratic candidates planning to file for candidacy in person on Wednesday, promised to work to improve affordability for residents of his district, should he be elected, in a statement released by the North Jefferson County Democratic Party.
“Career politicians and economists say the price increases since the pandemic are permanent; that the best America can hope for is a slower rate of increase on top of what already rose too much,” Pilkington wrote. “I refuse to accept that.”
Pilkington went on to highlight his time serving in the military and career background, which he argued has equipped him to improve affordability for Alabamians.
“Getting prices back down won’t be easy. But it is possible. It will take a national mobilization of America’s productive capacity—the kind we haven’t seen since World War II,” he added. “Every 80 years, this country faces a test that determines whether we rise or fall. This is our generation’s great cause.”
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Will Boyd, who filed to formally enter the race on Wednesday, similarly stated that he hopes to promote affordability and healthcare access should he be elected.
“Alabamians want our state to have a thriving economy so they can pay their bills and take care of their families,” Boyd said. “They want affordable, accessible healthcare. And they want to see our communities strengthened by innovations such as a statewide broadband system, high-speed rail, and an overhaul of the prison and parole systems. If I am elected, I will be pursuing these goals for all Alabamians.”
Boyd, additionally, challenged other Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls to take part in a series of debates.
“Voters deserve to compare our individual visions for the state in a way that makes our differences clear,” he said. “Nothing will do that better than a series of townhall style debates.”
Offices on the ballot in 2026 include:
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. House of Representatives
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Secretary of State
- Auditor
- Treasurer
- Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry
- Public Service Commissioner
- Court of Appeals (Civil and Criminal)
- Member of the State Board of Education
- Circuit Court Judge
- District Court Judge
- Alabama State Senate
- Alabama House of Representatives
Republicans who have qualified for candidacy may be viewed at algop.org/qualified-2026-republican-candidates/.
Democrats who have qualified for candidacy may be viewed at https://aldemocrats.org/2026-qualified-candidates.
Alabama Republican and Democratic primaries are set for May 19, 2026, and the general election is scheduled for November 3.
