Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has officially announced his candidacy for governor of Alabama in the 2026 election. The announcement came on May 27, 2025, during an appearance on Fox News’ The Will Cain Show and was followed by a campaign launch event at Byron’s Smokehouse in Auburn, the same venue where he began his successful 2020 Senate campaign .
Tuberville, a former head football coach at Auburn University, emphasized his commitment to conservative values and outlined key priorities for his gubernatorial campaign, including job creation, educational improvements, and addressing illegal immigration. He stated, “I’m a football coach, I’m a leader, I’m a builder, I’m a recruiter, and we’re going to grow Alabama.”
The New York Post continues:
Incumbent Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) is term-limited and, therefore, ineligible to seek reelection in 2026.
Tuberville had first been elected to the Senate in 2020 after he narrowly edged out former US Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a primary in the aftermath of his falling out with President Trump.
The 70-year-old is famous for his time as head football coach at Auburn University from 1999 to 2008. Tuberville also did stints as the head football coach at the University of Mississippi between 1995 and 1998, Texas Tech University between 2010 and 2012 and the University of Cincinnati between 2013 and 2016.
Given his time spent out of state, there is controversy over Alabama’s seven-year residency requirement for governor. Tuberville is adamant that he has complied with that requirement.
Although he owns homes in both Auburn and Florida, Tuberville asserts that he has been a resident of Alabama since 2019. The Alabama Democratic Party has indicated plans to challenge his eligibility in court based on this requirement.
The senator’s decision to run for governor opens up his U.S. Senate seat, which he has held since 2021 after defeating Democrat Doug Jones. Tuberville has also been known for his close alignment with President Trump, most notably through his blockade of military promotions in protest of a Pentagon policy on abortion under the Biden administration.
His gubernatorial campaign is expected to define the Republican primary field, particularly as other prominent Republicans — such as Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate — have opted not to run.
No matter the outcome, Tuberville strongly prefers to be addressed as “coach” rather than senator or governor.
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