Tommy Tuberville launches run for governor of Alabama

Alabama may soon have a new leader in the political arena as Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has announced his candidacy for the 2026 Alabama governor’s race. Tuberville, known for his background in football coaching, expressed his determination to bring positive changes to the state, including boosting manufacturing, addressing illegal immigration, and enhancing education.

The incumbent Governor Kay Ivey is term-limited and cannot run for re-election in 2026. Tuberville made his announcement at Byron’s Smokehouse in Auburn, Alabama, the same place where he launched his Senate campaign. Despite controversies surrounding his residency, Tuberville is confident that he meets Alabama’s seven-year residency requirement for governor. If successful, he prefers to be addressed as “coach” rather than governor or senator.

Tuberville, who previously received support from President Trump during his Senate bid, has garnered attention for his alignment with Trump’s policies. He is considered a top contender in the gubernatorial race, with other potential Republican candidates opting out amid speculation about Tuberville’s candidacy.

The senator is the second sitting U.S. senator to run for governor, after Sen. Michael Bennett (D-Col.), and plans to continue working closely with Trump to advance their shared conservative agenda. Despite his gubernatorial aspirations, Tuberville emphasized his commitment to fulfilling his Senate duties until the end of his term, including legislative work on Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.