Thomas
Tuberville
Republican U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville wins 2026 Alabama GOP gubernatorial nomination
- sources
- 25
- positions
- 9
- endorsements
- 19
Background
Thomas "Tommy" Tuberville is the Republican U.S. Senator from Alabama, elected in 2020, who is running for governor in 2026 rather than seeking re-election to the Senate. 128
Born in Camden, Arkansas, Tuberville earned a B.S. in physical education from Southern Arkansas University in 1976 and spent approximately 40 years as a college football coach, serving as head coach at Ole Miss, Auburn, Texas Tech, and Cincinnati. After coaching, he worked as a sports broadcaster and ESPN analyst before entering politics. 12
Tuberville won the Republican gubernatorial nomination on May 19, 2026. His candidacy faced a residency challenge that was dismissed by Alabama's GOP. 811
His campaign website lists issues including taxes, schools, and sports policy. 617
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- Governor, Alabama
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- U.S. Senator from Alabama
- Website
- coachforgovernor.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 9newsAlabama Supreme Court unanimously upholds dismissal of Tuberville residency challenge
The Alabama Supreme Court unanimously affirmed dismissal of a lawsuit challenging Tuberville's eligibility under Alabama's seven-year residency requirement, ruling the lower court lacked jurisdiction under the procedure used. The ruling did not adjudicate whether Tuberville actually meets the residency requirement.
Alabama Supreme Court rules on Tommy Tuberville residency lawsuit · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6filingTuberville narrowly out-raises Jones in September; holds commanding cash-on-hand advantage
September fundraising reports showed Tuberville raising ~$1.13M versus Jones's ~$1.12M. Tuberville reported ~$6.56M cash on hand compared to Jones's ~$2.18M.
Tuberville narrowly out-raises Jones in September · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsTrump campaigns with Tuberville at Mobile rally, urges voters to elect him governor
President Donald Trump appeared at a Mobile rally and urged support for Tuberville and other Republicans, saying 'we're going to elect Tommy Tuberville as your next governor.'
Trump campaigns in deep red Alabama as midterms near · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsTuberville crime ad promises possible National Guard deployment 'on day one'
A new campaign ad featured Tuberville pledging to recruit law enforcement, seek penalties for child abusers, and potentially deploy the National Guard on day one. Jones criticized the proposal.
'It's a warzone!': Tuberville promises National Guard 'on day one' to ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30pollPoll shows Tuberville leading Jones 50% to 37%
A Napolitan News Service poll of 800 registered voters commissioned by Alabama Policy Action found Tuberville at 50%, Jones at 37%, with 8% undecided and a ±3.5 percentage point margin of error.
New poll offers some good news for Alabama's Republican politicians · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29endorsementAlabama FarmPAC endorses Tuberville for governor
The Alabama Farmers Federation's political arm finalized its statewide endorsements, including Tuberville for governor.
ALFA adds Wahl, Sorrell, Zeigler endorsements ahead of November election · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 26debateAP reports Tuberville has declined Jones's debate challenge
The Associated Press reported that Tuberville had declined Jones's challenge to debate, as part of broader coverage of Southern Democrats' prospects in the 2026 midterms.
Southern Democrats are seeing hope for first time in years · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25controversyTuberville's remarks on transgender people draw criticism
AL.com reported Tuberville called for arrests of doctors providing gender-affirming care and said to 'bring back mental institutions' for transgender individuals. Advocacy groups criticized the focus.
Tuberville, Britt step up attacks on transgender people as GOP faces dire midterm election · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18endorsementNRA endorses Tuberville for governor
The NRA's Political Victory Fund announced its endorsement of Tuberville for governor, saying he would 'go on offense for the Second Amendment.'
NRA endorses Tuberville for governor, Moore for U.S. Senate | Alabama… · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16debateJones challenges Tuberville to debate; Tuberville declines
At a Birmingham press conference, Doug Jones called for a debate, saying 'the people of Alabama deserve a debate.' Reports said Tuberville declined the challenge.
Jones hits Tuberville, Flock and AI in Birmingham · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 8newsTuberville launches first general-election TV ad, pledges to end Alabama grocery tax
Tuberville's campaign aired its first general-election TV ad emphasizing lower taxes and pledging to end Alabama's grocery tax, as described in the campaign's September 11 roundup.
Coach's Sideline Report – September 11, 2026 · Sep 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Alabama REALTORS® Political Action Committee (ARPAC) organizationListed as a general-election endorsement on ARPAC's 2026 endorsements page; no specific date for that endorsement appears on the page. alabamarealtors.com
- ProgressPAC (Business Council of Alabama's political action committee) organizationEndorsed Tuberville during the 2026 election cycle; a September 14, 2026 announcement described a new statewide campaign supporting him. yellowhammernews.com · Sep 14, 2026
- President Donald Trump officialCampaign archive lists the day and month as January 23; contemporaneous reporting identifies the announcement as January 2026. Trump's endorsement statement is also quoted in NBC News coverage of the May 20, 2026 primary results. nbcnews.com · Jan 23, 2026
- Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger officialyellowhammernews.com · Sep 4, 2025
- Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter officialcoachforgovernor.com · Aug 18, 2025
- Electric Cooperatives of Alabama (political arm of the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives) organizationEndorsement was unanimously approved by its board. coachforgovernor.com · Jul 29, 2025
- Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA) organization1819news.com · Jul 17, 2025
- Alabama Bankers Association organizationcoachforgovernor.com · Jul 14, 2025
- U.S. Senator Rick Scott (Florida) officialcoachforgovernor.com · Jul 9, 2025
- Alabama Associated General Contractors organizationcoachforgovernor.com · Jul 9, 2025
- Alabama Forestry Association organizationcoachforgovernor.com · Jun 26, 2025
- Business Council of Alabama organizationcoachforgovernor.com · Jun 26, 2025
- Alabama Concrete Industries Association organizationcoachforgovernor.com · Jun 26, 2025
- Indiana Governor Mike Braun officialcoachforgovernor.com · Jun 25, 2025
- Alabama Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth officialcoachforgovernor.com · Jun 19, 2025
- U.S. Senator Katie Britt (Alabama) officialcoachforgovernor.com · Jun 18, 2025
- Manufacture Alabama organizationmanufacturealabama.org · Jun 17, 2025
- Alabama Grocers Association organizationcoachforgovernor.com · Jun 17, 2025
- Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama organizationcoachforgovernor.com · Jun 17, 2025
Sources 25
- [1] 2026 ARPAC Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Alabama Supreme Court rules on Tommy Tuberville residency lawsuit(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Tuberville narrowly out-raises Jones in September(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [5] Thomas Tuberville — official campaign website(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [6] Trump campaigns in deep red Alabama as midterms near(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [7] 'It's a warzone!': Tuberville promises National Guard 'on day one' to ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [8] New poll offers some good news for Alabama's Republican politicians(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [9] ALFA adds Wahl, Sorrell, Zeigler endorsements ahead of November election(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [10] Southern Democrats are seeing hope for first time in years(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [11] Tommy Tuberville on Energy & Oil - OnTheIssues.org(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [12] Tuberville, Britt step up attacks on transgender people as GOP faces dire midterm election(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [13] NRA endorses Tuberville for governor, Moore for U.S. Senate | Alabama…(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [14] Jones hits Tuberville, Flock and AI in Birmingham(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [15] ‘Coach Means Business’: BCA launches statewide campaign backing Tuberville for Governor(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [16] Coach's Monthly Column: CHOOSING the Best Education for ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 14, 2026
- [17] Coach's Sideline Report – September 11, 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 11, 2026
- [18] 'Less taxes, more results': Tommy Tuberville releases first ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 8, 2026
- [19] Tuberville breaks from GOP talking points on election bill(opens in a new tab) Aug 4, 2026
- [20] Sen. Tommy Tuberville wins Republican primary for ...(opens in a new tab) May 20, 2026
- [21] 2026 Endorsed Candidates(opens in a new tab) Apr 22, 2026
- [22] PRESS RELEASES | Coach Tommy Tuberville for Governor(opens in a new tab) Dec 2, 2025
- [23] 'Battlefield general': Alabama Senate Pro Tem Garlan Gudger ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 4, 2025
- [24] ALFA endorses Tommy Tuberville for governor in 2026 - 1819 News(opens in a new tab) Jul 18, 2025
- [25] Tuberville Not Backing Down in Fight to Stop Illegal Taxpayer-Funded Abortions » Coach Tommy Tuberville(opens in a new tab) Jun 16, 2023