John Wahl, the outgoing chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, announced Tuesday that he is running for lieutenant governor, launching his campaign with the public backing of President Donald Trump.
“President Trump understands that Alabama needs a Lieutenant Governor who will fight unapologetically for the America First agenda — and that’s why he endorsed me,” Wahl said in a statement. “Alabama can lead the nation in a conservative resurgence to protect our rights, our freedoms, and our values.”
Wahl has served as state GOP chairman since 2021, a period during which the party dramatically expanded its fundraising and grassroots operations while strengthening its alignment with Trump’s political operation.
During his tenure, the party raised more than $8.5 million, set new attendance and fundraising records, and helped organize the Cullman Trump Rally, which party officials described as the largest political event in Alabama history.
A native of Limestone County, Wahl has frequently highlighted his background growing up on his family’s farm and his identity as a conservative Christian in building his political profile within the party. At 37, he became one of the youngest state party chairs in the country when elected to the position.
Wahl also played a prominent role in Trump’s 2024 campaign, helping raise more than $2 million and coordinating volunteer efforts that knocked on more than 100,000 doors in swing states, according to his campaign.
Under his leadership, Alabama Republicans expanded their legislative dominance, flipping dozens of local and state offices while advancing priorities such as tax cuts, election law changes, school choice legislation and adoption reform.
“As Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, I’ve been on the front lines defending our values and fighting for our freedoms,” Wahl said. “Now, I’m ready to take that fight to the Lieutenant Governor’s office.”
He added that his priorities would include “secur[ing] our elections, rebuild[ing] our economy, creat[ing] jobs, cut[ting] taxes, lower[ing] regulations, put[ting] parents back in control of their children’s education, and always put[ting] the people of Alabama first.”
Wahl’s announcement also closely ties his campaign to U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor in 2026. Wahl worked on Tuberville’s 2020 Senate campaign and later served on his transition team.
“As Lieutenant Governor, I will always stand for the people of Alabama and never back down,” Wahl said. “Coach Tuberville is running for governor on a bold platform of returning power to the people. He will need a conservative fighter by his side, and if elected, I will proudly stand with him — and with President Trump — as we fight for the God-given rights and freedoms of the people of Alabama.”
The lieutenant governor’s race is expected to draw a crowded Republican field, but Trump’s early endorsement gives Wahl an immediate advantage in name recognition, fundraising and access to the party’s national donor network.
With his entry, the contest becomes another high-profile test of how fully Trump’s influence will shape Alabama’s 2026 statewide elections — not only at the top of the ticket, but throughout the executive branch.
