Republican U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville has officially entered the 2026 race for Alabama governor. On Monday, he filed paperwork at the Alabama Republican Party headquarters, saying he wants to be the “chief recruiter to make our state better.”
Tuberville, known for his successful coaching career at Auburn University, used his sports fame to win a Senate seat in 2020. Last year, he announced he would run for governor instead of seeking re-election to the Senate.
“It’s time to come home, put together a staff and focus on the people of Alabama,” Tuberville said. “Residents deserve a better state every day they live here.”
Political analysts say Tuberville’s early entry may discourage other Republicans from joining the race to replace Governor Kay Ivey, a fellow Republican. Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones, who lost to Tuberville in 2020, is also running for governor, setting up a possible rematch in November.
Tuberville emphasized that business recruitment would be one of his top priorities if elected. “We have 500,000 people in Alabama earning less than $30,000 a year. That should change. We need to create better jobs and encourage more work,” he said.
In addition to job growth, Tuberville said he would focus on education, infrastructure, and fraud prevention. He did not provide detailed proposals but addressed the idea of a state lottery, saying it could help, but is not enough to rely on for revenue.
Some Democrats have questioned whether Tuberville meets the residency requirement for governor. The Alabama Constitution requires candidates to have lived in the state for at least seven years. Tuberville owns a $270,000 home in Auburn, where he claims a homestead exemption, and a $4 million beach home in Florida.
“I have been a resident. It’s not an issue,” Tuberville said. When asked where he spends most of his time outside Washington, he answered Auburn. “I went to almost every football game down there this year,” he added.
Tuberville first gained political attention by presenting himself as an outsider and aligning closely with former President Donald Trump. In 2023, he held a months-long blockade on military promotions over his opposition to a Pentagon policy supporting troops seeking abortion-related travel in states where it is restricted.
His campaign entry signals a high-stakes election in Alabama. Republicans and Democrats alike are watching closely as candidates prepare for a competitive 2026 governor’s race. Tuberville’s focus on jobs, business growth, and education could become central issues in the campaign.
The upcoming election will also be a test of political influence, given Tuberville’s national profile and prior Senate experience. Voters will weigh his record as a coach, senator, and political outsider against other candidates.
Tuberville’s announcement adds momentum to a race that may shape Alabama politics for years. With both parties fielding well-known figures, the election promises intense competition and widespread media coverage.