Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate will be seeking the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2026.
Pate is term-limited from running for re-election to his current role as commissioner of agriculture and industries. He was first elected to the statewide office in 2018.
Pate told 1819 News on Wednesday, "I feel like I still have something left to give."
"It's just an opportunity to serve the public. I'd been Mayor (of Lowndesboro) for 14 years. (Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries) has been a really cool, fun thing to do for the last 6.5 years. I feel like I've got too much to give to just go to the house and retire, go play golf, (and) hunt." Pate said.
Pate said of other possible opportunities or offices, "None of the other stuff really appealed to me."
Current Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth is term-limited from seeking re-election. The race to replace him will be heavily contested, with multiple candidates already having announced and likely more to follow in the near future.
"I'm probably one of the few people that you'll probably talk to that just loves campaigning. I don't mind. We'll probably next week put $100,000 of our money in the campaign. We'll have skin in the game, so I don't mind asking people to help me. I love campaigning. I've heard as many as six names so far. There might be more. That's fun. It's okay," Pate said.
The lieutenant governor presides over the Senate and succeeds the governor if the office becomes vacant. The position also has some appointment authority to various boards and serves on some commissions.
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