**Tommy Tuberville Announces 2026 Gubernatorial Run in Alabama**

Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has set his sights on a new political role, announcing on Tuesday that he will be running for governor of Alabama in 2026. Tuberville, an outspoken supporter of former President Donald Trump and a former college football coach, heads toward this new challenge after serving a single term in the Senate.

“I decided to give back to this great country and fight,” Tuberville shared with Fox News. He highlighted Trump’s unwavering support, emphasizing that, “President Trump was a guy that really was behind me in doing the Senate race, he's been behind me ever since, and today I will announce that I will be the future governor of the great state of Alabama.”

Though Tuberville praised his collaboration with Trump to advance national priorities, he made it clear that his commitment to Alabama's future takes precedence. He acknowledged that he still has significant responsibilities in the Senate over the next 18 months but emphasized the importance of his gubernatorial bid for the state's benefit.

The senator admitted to wrestling with his decision, considering where his efforts could best serve Alabama. He faced pushback from individuals close to Trump who preferred he stay in the Senate, valuing his loyalty to Trump’s team. Despite this, Tuberville conveyed Trump’s eventual full support of his gubernatorial ambitions.

Tuberville's potential as a strong candidate is evident. He previously transformed his image from a football coach at Auburn University to a US senator with staunch support from Trump. Known for his conservative stance, Tuberville attracted backing from influential groups like the Club For Growth ahead of his announcement.

During his Senate term, Tuberville gained attention for placing holds on military promotions in protest of Biden administration policies on reproductive rights. Recently, Tuberville defended Trump’s acceptance of a luxury jet from Qatar by emphasizing budgetary constraints, remarking, "We don't have a lot of money right now to buy things like that."

Despite Tuberville’s impending departure, Republicans are expected to retain his Senate seat with ease. This creates an opening that is likely to spark a competitive primary among ambitious state Republicans. Attorney General Steve Marshall has shown interest in the governor's seat, and other potential candidates include Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, former Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, and several US representatives.

The possibility of a Democratic contender like Doug Jones, who previously defeated Republican opposition in a 2017 special election before losing to Tuberville in 2020, remains. Jones hinted that he’s not done serving Alabama and pointed out that recent political dynamics could potentially create a more favorable environment for a Democratic candidate. He suggested that discontent with current Republican handling of issues might give Democrats a fighting chance in future elections.

As the political landscape in Alabama prepares for the upcoming changes, Tuberville's announced gubernatorial bid sets off a series of anticipated shifts and strategizing among both Republican and Democratic hopefuls.