Monday, during a speech delivered to the Tennessee Valley Republican Club at the Brewers Co-op at the Stovehouse in Huntsville, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth said he had ruled out a possible bid for U.S. Senate.
Ainsworth was widely believed to be the frontrunner in succeeding Gov. Kay Ivey until U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) began to express interest in the office.
As Tuberville has made more and more overtures about a gubernatorial run, some speculated Ainsworth would opt for a U.S. Senate run to fill the seat Tuberville would vacate at the end of his term.
However, Ainsworth seemingly put discussions about a Senate bid to rest in his remarks.
"As far as my future — I know a lot of y'all are probably going to ask that," he said, according to audio of the meeting obtained by 1819 News. "I will say this — I don't have any interest in running for the Senate. I will say that. I pretty much have ruled that out. I've got twin boys that are in ninth grade and a daughter that's in seventh [grade]. I don't have an interest in being in D.C., missing all their stuff in their junior year and senior year. Certainly, I have a lot of respect for everybody that serves there and is willing to do that. That's not for me, right? So, I can tell you I have ruled that out. Only thing I am interested in running for is governor. Obviously, there is another big name out there that is looking at running."
Ainsworth said he expected to look harder at the gubernatorial run after the legislative session wraps up later this week to determine if there was a viable path.
"For me, it'll be run for governor or go back to the private sector," Ainsworth added. "I can just say, I love Alabama. I love being a Republican. I'm very bullish on our future. And I think there is a lot of things we can continue to do. And man, it is nice to have a partner in the White House with President Trump. But I think we can do so much good for our state and really help people."
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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