Tommy Tuberville wins Alabama GOP governor nomination

Field Level Media
20 May 2026, 20:25 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Jake Crandall / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Former Auburn football coach and current U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville won the Republican nomination for governor in Alabama.

Tuberville, 71, gained 85.5% of the vote in the primary on Tuesday to defeat opponents Ken McFeeters and Will Santivasci and is the heavy favorite to succeed term-limited current GOP governor Kay Ivey in the November election. He will square off against Democrat Doug Jones, who captured 78.6% of the primary vote.

Tuberville defeated Jones, who was the incumbent, in the 2020 senatorial election.

'God bless the great state of Alabama!' Tuberville posted on social media after clinching the nomination.

Tuberville enjoyed the backing of President Donald Trump in Alabama, a solidly red state that Trump overwhelmingly carried in 2024.

'Tommy Tuberville has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of the Great State of Alabama -- COACH TUBERVILLE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!' Trump wrote on social media.

Tuberville opted not to seek a second term in the Senate.

In addition to his decade on the sidelines at Auburn (1999-2008), Tuberville was also the head coach at Ole Miss (1995-98), Texas Tech (2010-12) and Cincinnati (2013-16). The two-time SEC Coach of the Year, Tuberville was the Associated Press Coach of the Year in 2004 when he guided the Tigers to an undefeated national championship.

He finished his coaching career with a 159-99 record, including 7-6 in bowls.

--Field Level Media

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