2026 Alabama gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Alabama gubernatorial election

←  2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Republican Democratic

Incumbent Governor Kay Ivey Republican

The 2026 Alabama gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next governor of Alabama. The primary election will be held on May 19. Incumbent Governor Kay Ivey is term-limited and ineligible to seek a third consecutive full term.

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

• Ken McFeeters, insurance agent and candidate for Alabama's 6th congressional district in 2024 ^[1]
• Tommy Tuberville, U.S. Senator (2021–present) ^[2]

Declined

• Will Ainsworth, Lieutenant Governor of Alabama (2019–present) ^[3] (endorsed Tuberville) ^[4]
• Lynda Blanchard, former U.S. Ambassador to Slovenia (2019–2021) and candidate for governor in 2022 ^[5] (nominated for Ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization) ^[6]
• Mo Brooks, former U.S. Representative from Alabama's 5th congressional district (2011–2023) ^[7]
• Steve Marshall, Alabama Attorney General (2017–present) ^[8] (running for U.S Senate) ^[9]
• Rick Pate, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (2019–present) (running for Lieutenant Governor) ^{[10] [11]}

Endorsements

Ken McFeeters

Organizations

• Alabama Cannabis Coalition (also endorsed Will Boyd) ^[12]

Tommy Tuberville

U.S. Senators

• Katie Britt, U.S. Senator from Alabama (2023–present) ^[13]
• Rick Scott, U.S. Senator from Florida (2019–present) ^[14]

State officials

• Will Ainsworth, Lieutenant Governor of Alabama (2019–present) ^[4]
• Mike Braun, Governor of Indiana (2025–present) ^[15]

State legislators

• Nathaniel Ledbetter, speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives (2023–present) from the 24th district (2014–present) ^[16]
• Scott Stadthagen, majority leader of the Alabama House of Representatives (2023–present) from the 9th district (2019–present) ^[17]

Individuals

• Taylor Hicks, singer ^[18]

Organizations

• Alabama Farmers Federation ^[19]
• Alabama Forestry Association ^[20]
• Associated Builders and Contractors Alabama ^[21]
• Associated Builders and Contractors North Alabama ^[21]
• Business Council of Alabama ^[22]
• Club for Growth ^[23]
• Manufacture Alabama ^[24]
• Petroleum Marketers Association of Alabama ^[25]

Will Ainsworth (declined)

State representatives

• Nathaniel Ledbetter, Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives (2023–present) from the 24th district (2014–present) ^[26]

Fundraising

Republican campaign finance reports as of August 31, 2025
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Tommy Tuberville (R)	$6,255,535	$816,489	$5,435,574
Source: Alabama Secretary of State [27]

Polling

Hypothetical polling

Will Ainsworth vs. Rick Pate

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size [a]	Margin of error	Will Ainsworth	Rick Pate	Undecided
Remington Research Group (R) [28]	December 2024	– (RV)	–	34%	5%	61%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Will Boyd, former Greenville, Illinois city councilor and nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama in 2018 and U.S. Senate in 2022 ^[29]
• Ja'Mel Brown, online pastor ^[30]
• Chad Chig Martin, hemp business owner and candidate for governor in 2022 ^[31]

Potential

• Doug Jones, former U.S. senator (2018–2021) ^[32]

Endorsements

Will Boyd

Individuals

• Jaime Harrison, former chair of the Democratic National Committee (2021–2025) ^[33]

Organizations

• Alabama Cannabis Coalition (also endorsed Ken McFeeters) ^[34]

Fundraising

Democratic campaign finance reports as of July 31, 2025
Candidate	Raised	Spent	Cash on hand
Will Boyd (D)	$41,877	$11,548	$3,816
Chad Chig Martin (D)	$14,158	$3,607	$8,082
Source: Alabama Secretary of State [27]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report [35]	Solid R	September 11, 2025
Inside Elections [36]	Solid R	August 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [37]	Safe R	September 4, 2025
Race to the WH [38]	Safe R	September 16, 2025

See also

• 2026 United States gubernatorial elections

Notes

1. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

References

1. Chitwood, Dr. Bill (May 28, 2025). "Ken McFeeters to Challenge Tuberville for Republican Gubernatorial Nomination". AL Politics. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
2. Angle, Alex (May 27, 2025). "Tuberville makes it official: he's running for governor in 2026". Alabama Daily News. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
3. Keenum, Lynne (May 21, 2025). "Alabama Lt. Gov. Ainsworth not running for governor in 2026". WVTM-TV . Retrieved May 21, 2025.
4. Monger, Craig. "Ainsworth endorses Tuberville for governor — 'Coach Tuberville will bring needed reforms'". 1819 News. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
5. Taylor, Caleb (July 26, 2024). "'It's always a possibility': Lindy Blanchard on 2026 bid for governor…". 1819 News . Retrieved July 28, 2024.
6. Koch, Alexandra (March 7, 2025). "Trump announces US ambassador nominations that include mayor of Michigan city". Fox News . Retrieved March 9, 2025.
7. "Mo Brooks leaves door open for Senate?". 1819 News. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
8. Stacy, Todd (January 1, 2025). "From IAP: Steve Marshall won't run for governor". Alabama Daily News. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
9. Baker, Trent. "'The nation needs strong conservative leadership': Steve Marshall announces U.S. Senate bid". 1819 News. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
10. Gann, Heather (March 12, 2025). "Tuberville's possible run changed one Republican's plans: Only Nick Saban 'could beat him'". al.com . Retrieved April 28, 2025.
11. Sell, Mary (May 21, 2025). "Pate not running for governor, considering bid for lieutenant gov". Alabama Daily News.
12. "2025 / 2025 ACC Endorsements". Alabama Cannabis Coalition. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
13. Sell, Mary (June 18, 2025). "Britt endorses Tuberville for governor". Alabama Daily News. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
14. Taylor, Daniel. "Florida U.S. Sen. Rick Scott endorses Tuberville for governor — 'Alabama is going to become this unbelievable state'". 1819 News. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
15. Monger, Craig. "Indiana Gov. Mike Braun endorses Tuberville in gubernatorial bid — 'He's going to be the next governor of Alabama'". 1819 News. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
16. Everett, Grayson. "Speaker Ledbetter endorses Senator Tuberville for Governor of Alabama as 'unapologetically conservative leader'". Yellowhammer News . Retrieved August 18, 2025.
17. Monger, Craig (May 28, 2025). "House Majority Leader Scott Stadthagen endorses Tuberville for…". 1819 News. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
18. Shipley, Austen (August 19, 2025). "Taylor Hicks jumps into Alabama politics – to throw his support behind Tuberville for Governor in 2026". Yellowhammer News . Retrieved August 19, 2025.
19. Everett, Grayson (July 17, 2025). "ALFA endorses Tuberville for Governor". Yellowhammer News . Retrieved July 17, 2025.
20. "Forestry Association endorses Tommy Tuberville for governor". Alabama Political Reporter. June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
21. Shipley, Austen (July 22, 2025). "Tuberville endorsed by both Alabama Chapters of Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc". Yellowhammer News . Retrieved July 22, 2025.
22. "Business Council endorses Tommy Tuberville for governor". Alabama Political Reporter. June 27, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
23. Everett, Grayson (May 21, 2025). "Club for Growth endorses Tommy Tuberville for Governor of Alabama in 2026". Yellowhammer News . Retrieved May 21, 2025.
24. Angle, Alex (June 5, 2025). "Tuberville gets endorsement from Manufacture Alabama in his gubernatorial bid". Alabama Daily News. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
25. "The Petroleum and Convenience Marketers of Alabama endorses Tommy Tuberville for governor". Alabama Political Reporter. May 28, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
26. Poor, Jeff (July 5, 2023). "House Speaker Ledbetter endorses Ainsworth for governor in 2026 at annual Henagar event". 1819 News . Retrieved July 5, 2023.
27. "Political Race Search". Alabama Secretary of State. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
28. Everett, Grayson (December 20, 2024). "New polling shows Will Ainsworth has big lead over Rick Pate in 2026 governor's race". Yellowhammer News . Retrieved June 12, 2025.
29. Barrett, Anna (June 11, 2025). "Democrat Will Boyd announces 2026 campaign for Alabama governor". Alabama Reflector. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
30. "CAMPAIGN 2026: Montgomery community activist joins governor's race". WAKA . June 14, 2025. Retrieved June 15, 2025.
31. Smith, Robert (May 29, 2025). "Enterprise businessman has eyes set on Alabama governorship". WDHN . Retrieved May 30, 2025.
32. Poor, Jeff (May 12, 2025). "Tommy Tuberville-Doug Jones rematch? Former Democrat U.S. Senator leaves open possible gubernatorial bid". 1819 News . Retrieved July 17, 2025.
33. "Will Boyd's campaign welcomes Vision Blue Strategies as national consultant". Alabama Political Reporter. July 15, 2025. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
34. Chitwood, Bill (July 28, 2025). "Alabama Cannabis Coalition Endorses Dr. Will Boyd in 2026 Governor's Race". ALPolitics.com. Retrieved July 29, 2025.
35. "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
36. "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
37. "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
38. "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.

External links

• Will Boyd (D) for Governor
• Chad Chig Martin (D) for Governor
• Tommy Tuberville (R) for Governor