Senator Tommy “Coach” Tuberville has officially declared his candidacy for governor of Alabama in the 2026 election, ending months of speculation and instantly positioning himself as the frontrunner in the deeply Republican state.

The former Auburn football coach turned U.S. Senator launched his campaign Tuesday morning by rebranding his social media handle to “Coach for Gov” and unveiling a new campaign website. He made the announcement on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show” live from Byron’s Smokehouse in Auburn, where he’s still revered for his coaching tenure with the Tigers.

Tuberville enters the race to succeed Republican Governor Kay Ivey, who is term-limited. With other major GOP contenders like Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and Attorney General Steve Marshall stepping aside, Tuberville now enjoys a near-clear path to the GOP nomination. His national name recognition, Trump endorsement, and record of aligning with the America First agenda make him the overwhelming favorite.

Tuberville, who unseated Democrat Doug Jones for Senate in 2020 with Trump’s full backing, has maintained strong ties to the former president and has made headlines for his bold stances on defending women’s sports, protecting religious freedom in the military, and rejecting woke federal policies. His candidacy now sets up another potential clash with Doug Jones, who is rumored to be considering a gubernatorial run on the Democrat side.

At this early stage, two Democrats—Dr. Will Boyd and Chad Martin—have announced their bids, though Alabama Democrats are openly hoping for a higher-profile entry like Jones. Jefferson County Democrat Chair Wayne Rodgers confirmed that Jones remains “a possibility” and said more announcements are likely in the coming months.

Still, any Democrat faces an uphill battle in a state where Donald Trump earned more than 65 percent of the vote in both 2016 and 2020. Tuberville’s popularity, particularly in rural Alabama and among blue-collar voters, gives him a significant edge, and his alignment with Trump’s policies on immigration, education, and military priorities cements his standing.

With the senator stepping into the governor’s race, Alabama will also face a rare open Senate contest in 2026. That will invite a fresh round of political maneuvering on the Republican side as potential successors begin testing the waters. But for now, all eyes are on Tuberville’s new campaign and how he plans to build on his time in Washington to lead at the state level.

Tuberville’s messaging has centered on restoring traditional values, bolstering Alabama’s economy, and protecting families from federal overreach. He’s also likely to continue pushing hard on cultural and educational issues, defending his state’s right to set its own standards free from Washington interference.

With fundraising for the 2026 cycle already underway, Tuberville’s entry reshapes the landscape overnight. He brings a unique blend of national experience, grassroots appeal, and local celebrity that’s rare in state politics—and he’s already proven he can win statewide in a landslide.

If Democrats were hoping to make Alabama competitive in 2026, they just saw their path narrow considerably. For now, Tuberville is the man to beat—and he’s playing to win.