Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) is making a major move. The former Auburn football coach turned U.S. Senator announced he will not seek re-election to the Senate—and instead will run for governor of Alabama in 2026.
At a private donor event on Wednesday night, Tuberville confirmed he’s “ready to run his next race in Alabama” and plans to leave Washington behind. “I want to serve the people of Alabama in Montgomery instead of D.C.,” he told the crowd, according to Yellowhammer News.
Tuberville’s decision instantly reshapes the political landscape in Alabama. His move creates an open U.S. Senate seat in 2026—a rare occurrence in a deep red state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections for decades.
In other words, barring a total political earthquake, it’s a safe bet that Alabama’s Senate seat stays Republican—and a golden opportunity for a strong MAGA candidate to step up.
Tuberville, who holds a 91 rating from the CPAC Center for Legislative Accountability, has been a solid ally of President Donald Trump throughout his Senate career. He rode the America First wave to victory in 2020 when he defeated Democrat Doug Jones in a landslide.
Before politics, Tuberville made his name as head football coach at Auburn University from 1999 to 2008, leading the team to an undefeated season in 2004. His leadership background and outsider image made him a natural fit for the populist movement reshaping the Republican Party.
If Tuberville is elected governor, expect him to push hard on issues like revitalizing Alabama’s shipbuilding industry. Earlier this year, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, he grilled Navy officials over the decline in skilled tradesmen and the health of U.S. shipbuilding—a major issue for Alabama’s economy, especially around Mobile.
Tuberville’s focus on restoring American industry—and holding bureaucrats accountable—fits perfectly with the MAGA agenda that Trump has reignited nationwide.
With the Alabama governor’s race now heating up, other names are already being floated as possible contenders. Among them are:
- Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth
- Former Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis
- Former Secretary of State John Merrill
- Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate
All are Republicans, and with the primary elections scheduled for May 26, 2026, expect a crowded, high-energy race.
Meanwhile, national Republicans will also have to watch the Senate seat Tuberville leaves behind. While Alabama is strongly Republican, an open seat always carries some risk. If the GOP wants to keep the momentum Trump has built, they’ll need to nominate a fighter who’s committed to the America First platform—not a squishy establishment type.
Tuberville’s move is yet another sign that the GOP’s center of gravity is shifting—away from Washington insiders and toward leaders who connect with everyday Americans. Trump’s resurgence has reenergized the grassroots, and Alabama could be the next battlefield for solidifying the party’s future.
For now, one thing is clear: Tommy Tuberville isn’t done fighting for Alabama—and he’s betting that voters are ready for a bold, unapologetic America First governor.
Stay tuned. This could get very interesting.