Recently, Enterprise native Chad “Chig” Martin and Hoover reverend Dr. Will Boyd both announced their bids in the 2026 Alabama Governor’s race, both as Democrats. 

Martin is an Enterprise native that founded Thunder Industrial Supply Company in Dothan. A graduate of Enterprise High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Martin previously ran for governor in 2022, earning 5.6 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary.

Martin also founded the first hemp dispensary in Alabama, Honeysuckle Hemp Company of Dothan. Among the issues that Martin is running on is the “decriminalizing of natural medicines.” Martin also is running on expanding Medicaid in Alabama, investing in infrastructure and revitalizing the agricultural industry in Alabama. Martin also is running on strengthening and enforcing dumping and pollution regulations and creating an education lottery. 

Martin will be holding Meet and Greets and Q&As across the state in July and August, with stops in Huntsville, Gadsden, Birmingham, Selma, Cullman and Muscle Shoals. 

Boyd is a native of South Carolina that currently resides in Hoover. Boyd worked in manufacturing leadership roles in America and internationally, including as production manager and quality executive with A.O. Smith Water Products and International Filter Manufacturing. 

Boyd holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from South Carolina, MBA from Regis University and doctorates in Religion, Psychology and Organizational Management. He has served as the Chancellor of St. James the Elder University and Dean of Student Success and Assistant Professor of Management at Greenville College. He has also authored three books focused on leadership, values and faith. 

Boyd was the first African American elected to city council in Greenville, Illi., and was also the first African American major-party nominee for the U.S. Senate in Alabama. He has also previously served as the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor in 2018 and Congress in 2016. 

Boyd is running on a platform that includes economic development, educational equity, exceptional healthcare, ending voter suppression, employee representation and environmental protection. 

On the Republican side, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Hoover insurance agent Ken McFeeters both previously announced their bids for governor.