For the last few years after every Civic Group or Chamber banquet I spoke to, I would typically open the floor for questions and invariably the most prominent inquiry was who is going to run for Governor in 2026.
Alabamians love the Governor’s race. Always have and it stays the same. Also, they seemed to know that Governor Kay Ivey was term limited, and the brass ring of Alabama politics was going to be open. It appeared that we were going to be in for a donnybrook brawl, like we used to have in bygone days every four years when the Governor could not succeed themselves.
Then, about six months ago, when it became apparent that our Senior U.S. Senator, Coach Tommy Tuberville, was going to leave his safe senate seat to come back to Alabama to run for Governor, all the anticipation evaporated. The early potential, serious candidates vanished and headed for the hills. He was, and remains virtually unbeatable in the May 19, 2026, Governor’s race…