A recent onslaught of social media adulation from state agencies crediting Gov. Kay Ivey for doing her job has renewed speculation that the governor may not see through the final two years of her term.
At the beginning of the new year, Ivey was tagged in nearly a dozen posts touting her leadership for each state agency's accomplishments. With this coordinated effort, several state agencies heaped praise on the governor for what they claimed to be a positive impact of her policy across the board.
Kay Ivey legacy springs to life? State agencies offer a barrage of praise for sitting governor
However, these manufactured commendations may have backfired on the state's chief executive.
In the aftermath, some on social media and elsewhere revived longtime speculation that the 80-year-old Ivey may not finish her term.
Yesterday, over half a dozen state agencies began singing in unison the praises of @GovernorKayIvey.
— U.S. Secretary of Common Sense (@ScottButtram) January 3, 2025
I believe-and I'm not alone-Gov. Ivey will resign soon and allow @willainsworthAL to serve a year as governor before announcing his run for a full term. #alpolitics https://t.co/SC9nB7DMeI
This, coupled with unanswered questions about Ivey's health, has others around Montgomery speculating that the governor might not finish her term.
Recently, Ivey was evaluated for dehydration by paramedics at a campaign event for congressional candidate Caroleene Dobson in November. Unreported first-hand accounts of other episodes have also increased in recent years.
SEE: Ivey 'at home doing well' after paramedic evaluation for dehydration at Dobson campaign event
In 2015, a trooper was allegedly removed from Ivey's protective detail when she was lieutenant governor after telling his superiors that she suffered "stroke-like symptoms" during a trip to Colorado.
Likewise, in 2022, ahead of the general election, more rumors circled that Ivey was experiencing medical complications.
In the scant instances where Ivey has addressed the innuendo of declining health or leaving office early, she has consistently met the question with a whisper of contempt, indicating she intends to complete her term as governor.
Related: Ivey addresses health rumors — 'Seems like some of you just want to will these rumors into being'
Ivey's office declined an on-the-record response to whether she intends to finish her current term.
With the early formal stages of the 2026 gubernatorial election soon to be underway, Attorney General Steve Marshall's decision not to run is giving voters some clarity about their 2026 options. One likely candidate could be Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who, if Ivey resigned, would fill the unexpired term of the state's chief executive.
Then-Lt. Gov. Ivey came into office in the middle of disgraced former Gov. Robert Bentley's term after Bentley resigned in April 2017 amid impeachment hearings over ethics violations.
Her incumbency proved an advantage in the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary, as she went on to handily win both the 2018 and 2022 gubernatorial elections.
If Ivey were to step down, history could repeat itself, and Ainsworth would have an apparent advantage over any competitors. Statewide polling shows as much for the 2026 GOP gubernatorial primary.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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