U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) said on Wednesday that, while he looks forward to working with the incoming Donald Trump administration in a GOP-led Senate, he is not ruling out a run for Alabama's governor in 2026.
As the smoke clears from the November presidential election, many Alabamians are turning their attention to state elections and who will succeed Gov. Kay Ivey should she finish out her term.
While some state figures, such as Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, are all but assured of vying for the office, other names have been circled as possible candidates, such as Agricultural Commissioner Rick Pate, former Secretary of State John Merrill, former Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs director Kent Davis and Tuberville.
Tuberville's status as a sitting U.S. Senator and a former football coach for Auburn University gives him a significant advantage in pursuing a statewide seat.
On Wednesday, Tuberville told reporters that he is excited to continue his term in the Senate but will "never say never" on a possible run for governor.
"Well, one thing I wanna say and, as I've told people, I want to do what's best for the people of Alabama and this country," Tuberville said. "I can't say that I've enjoyed it up here, but I'm glad I've been in D.C. for the last four years. I'm looking forward to the next two years. You never say never on anything; okay, because things change. But I'm fixing to put my heart and soul into the next two years of getting this country back for the people of Alabama and the people of the United States of America."
"My dad lost his life in the military. He gave his life for this country, as millions of other people have done. This is just a small part of trying to give back to the greatest country ever that's given me a whole lot, so I'm going to work very hard doing my job here in the United States Senate," he continued. "I'm glad I did this. I'm glad I'm here. I've learned so much from other people up here that are a lot like me, that just want our country to be great and safe again. We'll talk about all that other stuff down the road, but I'm just looking forward to President Trump getting inaugurated next week."
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