Sen. Tommy Tuberville to run for Alabama governor

U.S. senator for Alabama and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville launched a campaign for state governor on Tuesday. Tuberville said he would serve in Congress until the election. The Republican senator’s term doesn’t expire until 2027.

Tuberville made the announcement from Byron’s Smokehouse in Auburn, Ala., the same barbecue restaurant from which he launched his Senate bid. He had President Donald Trump’s backing for the gubernatorial run, he said.

What are some of Tuberville’s campaign focuses? The senator said he wanted to bring more manufacturing into Alabama, stop illegal immigration, improve education, and increase workforce development to keep college graduates in-state. Tuberville integrated his sports experience into his campaign strategy, describing himself on his website as a former college football coach turned U.S. senator.

Who are the other gubernatorial candidates? Tuberville is the first to announce his candidacy for the 2026 election. Republican Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who had considered a run for governor, announced May 21 that he would return to the private sector after his term. He wanted to focus on his children during their last years in high school, he said. Ainsworth added that he planned to campaign for a Trump-allied governor during the election season.

How did Alabama Democrats respond? Alabama Democratic Party chairman Randy Kelley said the party intends to challenge Tuberville’s claim of Alabama residency in court. Kelley accused Tuberville of improperly claiming a homestead exemption for his son’s house while living primarily in Florida.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report on the life of congressman Charlie Rangel.