Senator Tommy Tuberville has announced his 2026 gubernatorial run in Alabama, bringing Trump-endorsed conservatism and coach-style leadership to a race he’s already favored to win.
At a Glance
- Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville has launched his 2026 campaign for Alabama governor.
- His platform includes economic growth, education reform, and strict border enforcement.
- Tuberville is campaigning against Critical Race Theory and men in women’s sports.
- He enjoys support from Donald Trump and the Club for Growth.
- His decision opens a Senate seat in the 2026 midterms.
From Gridiron to Governor’s Race
Ending months of speculation, Senator Tommy Tuberville has formally entered the 2026 race to become Alabama’s next governor. Tuberville, a former Auburn University football coach and first-term U.S. senator, will not seek re-election to Congress. Instead, he’s pivoting to a high-stakes bid to replace outgoing Republican Governor Kay Ivey.
“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 said during his campaign launch.
His early campaign rollout includes a polished website and an appearance on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show,” where he outlined his conservative platform. The announcement was quickly followed by endorsements from former President Trump and the fiscally focused Club for Growth.
Coach-Style Governance
Tuberville is leaning hard into his identity as a former football coach, using his leadership experience to pitch a vision of disciplined, team-oriented governance. He’s pledging to recruit jobs, restore educational rigor, and increase border security—often using sports metaphors to communicate his plans.
“We’re going to bring manufacturing to this state. We’re going to stop this illegal immigration. We’re going to make education better again,” Tuberville told Fox News.
His campaign has emphasized that these goals are not just slogans but strategic objectives rooted in his decades of experience building high-performing teams.
Watch a report: Tuberville Announces Gubernatorial Bid.
Anti-Woke Platform, Open Senate Seat
Central to Tuberville’s message is a culture war campaign against what he calls “woke ideology.” He has vocally opposed men participating in women’s sports and the teaching of Critical Race Theory and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in schools.
“My record over the last four years in Washington has proven that I’m not afraid to say it like it is,” Tuberville said in Western Journal coverage. “Allowing men to compete in women’s sports is wrong.”
His departure from the Senate sets up a highly competitive 2026 race for his seat. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is rumored to be considering a run, and speculation has even touched Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl—though Tuberville playfully discouraged that idea, saying Pearl should stay where he is.
With early momentum, strong conservative backing, and statewide name recognition, Tuberville is shaping up as the GOP favorite. But the race is just beginning, and Alabama’s political field remains open for surprises.
