Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s announced his intentions to run for governor of Alabama on Tuesday. 

Tuberville ended weeks of speculation this week when he announced his intention to run for governor of Alabama during an interview with Will Cain on Fox News. 

“Today I will announce that I will be the future governor of the great state of Alabama,” Tuberville said during the interview. “I’m doing this to help this country and the great state of Alabama. I’m a football coach, I’m a leader, I’m a builder, I’m a recruiter. And we’re going to grow Alabama.”

Tuberville also launched coachforgovernor.com the day of his announcement. Tuberville was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020 after defeating Democrat Doug Jones in a 60.2 to 39.8 percent landslide. Jones won a 2017 special election for the U.S. Senate after Sen. Jeff Sessions was appointed as U.S. Attorney General by President Donald Trump. 

After Sessions was appointed, then Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange to the U.S. Senate until a special election could be held. Strange faced Mo Brooks and Roy Moore in the special election Republican Primary. Strange and Moore advanced to a runoff with Moore eventually winning the nomination. Moore had been projected to easily beat Jones in the special election, but multiple women accused Moore of unwanted sexual advances or assaults. 

Jones was able to take advantage of an energized Democratic base in the wake of the Moore scandal to secure a slim 21,924 vote win. Jones became the first Democratic U.S. Senator from Alabama since Sen. Howell Heflin left office in 1997.  

Bentley’s appointment of Strange to the U.S. Senate left a vacancy in the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. Bentley appointed Marshall County District Attorney Steve Marshall to fill the vacancy. 

Marshall went on to win two additional terms as Alabama’s Attorney General. 

On Thursday, Marshall, a Republican, announced his intention to run for Tuberville’s Senate seat in 2026. 

“Today, I’m announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate to continue that fight and get things done for Alabama,” Marshall said in a prepared statement. “That means continuing to work alongside President Trump to finish the job of making America Great Again by securing our border, making our communities safer, protecting our children, getting the economy going and making sure that more of Alabamians’ hard earned money stays in their pockets.

“I want to thank Senator Tuberville for his dedication and Service in the Senate, he leaves tremendous shoes to fill.  I look forward to building on that legacy and carrying Alabama’s voice forward in Washington.”

On Wednesday, the day after Tuberville’s announcement, Jared Hudson, a Navy SEAL, and founder/CEO of the anti-human trafficking nonprofit Covenant Rescue Group, announced he would also seek the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. 

“I’ve spent my life taking the fight to America’s enemies. Now it’s time to continue the mission in Washington,” Hudson said. “I’ll be a warrior for President Trump’s America First Agenda.”

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, once considered a leading candidate to succeed Ivey, announced last Wednesday he planned to return to the private sector. Ainsworth posted a statement on Facebook regarding his decision. 

“After much prayer and many discussions with my family, friends and supporters, I will not be a candidate for governor during the 2026 election cycle,” Ainsworth said in the statement. “Kendall and I have decided focusing on our children during their last years in high school and transitioning to the private sector makes the most sense for all of us at this time in our lives.” 

Incumbent Republican Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate announced he would seek the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor.