Former Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack has endorsed Alabama State Sen. Chris Elliott (R‑Josephine) in his bid for re-election for Senate District 32, lending his support ahead of the May 19 primary election.

The endorsement marks a significant show of support as Hoss Mack endorses Chris Elliott in one of Baldwin County’s closely watched Republican primary contests.

In a video message released publicly, Mack encouraged voters to support Elliott for another term representing Baldwin County in Montgomery.

“I’m Sheriff Hoss Mack, asking you to join me in supporting Chris Elliott for a new term in the State Senate,” Mack said. “We sent Chris to the Capitol with a mission to stand tall for Baldwin County.”

Mack pointed to Elliott’s work securing funding and representing the district’s interests as reasons for his endorsement.

“He’s delivered every time by bringing home the funding to keep our roads, schools, and communities moving forward,” Mack said. “And Chris is a true conservative who’s tough as nails because he knows you can’t change Montgomery with please and thank you.”

Mack concluded his endorsement by urging voters to support Elliott in the upcoming election.

“So join me in supporting State Senator Chris Elliott, a real MAGA warrior for Baldwin County,” he said.

Mack retired in 2024 after nearly four decades in law enforcement, including 17 years as sheriff of Baldwin County. He now serves as executive director of the Alabama Sheriffs Association.

Elliott, who was first elected to the Senate in 2018, is seeking another term representing District 32, which includes communities across Baldwin County such as Fairhope, Daphne, Foley, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach.

He faces Republican challenger Mike Vandenheuvel in the May 19 primary election. The winner of the Republican nomination will advance to the general election in November.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

On Thursday, Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger appointed State Sen. Josh Carnley (R-Ino) as Vice Chair of the Senate State Government Affairs Committee and Sen. Jay Hovey (R-Auburn) as Vice Chair of the Senate County and Municipal Government Committee.

“Though Sen. Carnley is a freshman legislator, he has already proven that he has the skills, talents, and abilities necessary to help lead such an important and influential committee,” Gudger (R-Cullman) said.

“He has my full faith and confidence, and I know Sen. Carnley will use his new role as vice chair to make our state government operate more efficiently while providing more accountability to the taxpayers it seeks to serve.”

Carnley, elected in 2022 represents Senate District 31, covering Coffee, Covington and Pike counties and part of Dale County.

He also serves on several other committees and previously spent two-and-a-half terms on the Coffee County Commission.

A lifelong resident of Ino, he operates a family farm producing cotton, peanuts, corn and beef cattle, and is owner and president of SanBuck Insurance with offices in Andalusia, Enterprise and Troy. He and his wife, Valerie, have three children.

Hovey, first elected in 2022 to Senate District 27 after serving on the Auburn City Council, sits on multiple Senate committees, including Finance and Taxation Education, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Education Policy, Banking and Insurance, Tourism, and Transportation and Energy.

“As a former city council member, Sen. Hovey has the perfect skill set and experience necessary to step up and help lead the County and Municipal Government Committee,” Gudger said.

“I am confident that Sen. Hovey’s new leadership role and firsthand knowledge will help the Legislature better serve the needs of cities, towns, counties, and communities across Alabama.”

A commercial lending officer with ServisFirst Bank in Auburn, he’s active in the Alabama Small Business Advisory Commission, United Way of Lee County, Kiwanis Club of Auburn, the Auburn Chamber of Commerce Board, and the city’s Greenspace Advisory Board.

The 2026 legislative session will begin on January 13 — now 75 days away.

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.

Alabama legislative leaders are commending the Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds for its role in achieving a 30% reduction in drug overdoses statewide over the past year.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) and President Pro Tempore of the Senate Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) praised the work of the commission, and its chairman, State Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville), for the measurable progress reflected in the latest state report.

“These numbers demonstrate the results that can be achieved when the Alabama House and Senate target a problem and focus their joint efforts on resolving it,” Ledbetter and Gudger said in a joint statement.

“Most important are the lives that have been saved and the families that have been spared a devastating loss because of the work this commission has accomplished and the funding it has provided.”

Formed in 2023, the Oversight Commission on Alabama Opioid Settlement Funds has directed the state’s share of national opioid settlement funds into a coordinated statewide plan focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery.

RELATED: Alabama marks National Opioid Awareness Day with statewide campaign, 30% drop in overdose deaths

“To be able to say that drug overdoses are down 30% year-over-year is a tremendous blessing and speaks to the impactful work of this commission,” Reynolds said.

“Whether it be the 88,000-plus Naloxone kits distributed to first responders or the evidence-based programs the commission has funded, we are taking every possible step to protect communities and set struggling Alabamians on the road to recovery.”

Over three budget cycles, Alabama has appropriated $81 million to fund programs aimed at combating the opioid crisis.

Some of the funded programs and initiatives include:

• 88,000+ Naloxone kits distributed to first responders
• 209 prevention and recovery programs supported through the Alabama Department of Mental Health
• Expanded staffing and hours for Alabama’s 988 Crisis Lifeline, which has posted a 90% answer rate for three consecutive months
• An interagency agreement creating specialty courts with the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts
• A statewide opioid awareness campaign, *Opioids Take*, launched in 2024 and reaching nearly 1.9 million Alabamians
• 19 veteran pilot programs developed through the Veterans Mental Health Steering Committee

Officials emphasized that behind every statistic are lives saved and families spared the pain of losing a loved one to addiction.

 Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.

Members of the Alabama House Military & Veterans Affairs Committee were joined by representatives from the Alabama Departments of Veterans Affairs and Mental Health last Tuesday as they visited the historic Tuskegee Campus of the Central Alabama VA Health Care System.

More than just a formal informational tour, the was prompted by a recent conversation I had with a veteran who had received behavioral health treatment at the facility and spoke highly of the care.

Their testimony compelled me to bear firsthand witness and learn more about the services available to Alabama veterans through our federal VA system.

Military veterans deserve more than simple words of gratitude — they deserve timely, effective care, especially when it comes to mental health. Alabama has only two inpatient VA behavioral health treatment facilities located in Tuskegee and Tuscaloosa, and that lack of availability makes it even more critical to support and strengthen the resources we do have.

As a career soldier and military veteran, one of the key lessons I learned in training is that when you have mass casualties and bleeding inside your own perimeter, priority one is to stop the bleeding, but you must also quickly identify its source and cause.

The same principle applies to mental health — we must act urgently to provide critical care, but real, lasting change requires us to address the root causes.

I was honored to be joined by fellow members of the House Military & Veterans Affairs Committee, including Chairman Rep. Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville), Rep. Jerry Starnes (R-Prattville), and Rep. Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff).

We were also joined by key leaders from our state agencies, which included Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Jeff Newton, Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell, ADMH Chief of Staff Collier Tynes Dixon, ADMH Director of Legislative and Constituent Affairs Andrea Hutchings.

Their presence and interest underscored the importance of interagency collaboration in supporting veterans’ behavioral health.

During the visit, I also provided a Veterans Crisis Line yard sign—Dial 988, Press 1—to be displayed alongside the Operational We Remember flag display on campus.

This yard sign initiative is part of a collaborative effort by the Alabama Challenge and America250 Alabama Honor Our Veterans Committee and offers both a life-saving resource and a visible reminder to veterans that clearly confirms, “We see you, we honor you, and we’re here for you.”

This visit was also a valuable opportunity to bring stakeholders together—leaders committed to expanding access to mental health support and recovery pathways for our veterans across Alabama.

I’m proud of the work the House Military & Veterans Affairs Committee is doing, both during the legislative session and beyond.

Our efforts focus on building stronger partnerships, evaluating existing services, and pushing for meaningful improvements—not just at the state level, but in how we align with federal systems, as well.

To every Alabama veteran let me convey on behalf of the Alabama Legislature — You are not alone. Your service is honored, your needs are seen, and your well-being is a priority.

State Rep. Kenneth Paschal, a 21-year U.S. Army veteran, represents District 73 in the Alabama House of Representatives and serves as Vice Chair of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. He resides in Shelby County and remains active in veteran and civic leadership, including service on multiple Republican executive committees.

Three Auburn University students attended the memorial service for Charlie Kirk earlier this week with support from State Sen. Jay Hovey (R-Auburn).

Kirk, 31, was assassinated on September 10 at Utah Valley University in a brutal act of political violence aimed at silencing him.

After the Auburn Turning Point USA chapter’s executive board members contacted Hovey late last week for help traveling to Glendale, Arizona, Hovey stepped in to ensure the students could attend the service.

“Charlie Kirk was a man of faith and a true American patriot. This is a turning point for our nation, and I am glad Auburn students were able to honor his legacy and be part of this revival,” Hovey said.

“Charlie created a movement that has educated and energized a generation, and today his message is stronger than ever.”

Charlie Kirk founded Turning Point USA to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.

“We are very thankful for Senator Hovey’s generosity in helping us attend Charlie Kirk’s memorial service in Arizona. On such short notice, he was willing to step in and allow us to honor Charlie personally,” Auburn’s TPUSA chapter said in a statement. 

“Our nation needs more people like Charlie Kirk, people who are willing to discuss and debate the issues with those who may disagree with them,” said Hovey.

“I am so proud that these Auburn students want to pick up that mantle, and I will help in any way possible.”

Hovey concluded, “Charlie stood for the values that guided our Founding Fathers, and if our nation wants to prosper, we need more young people willing to fight for our country’s foundational principles.”

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.

State Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills), Alabama’s longest serving lawmaker in history, announced on Monday that he will seek a new term in the State Senate during the 2026 campaign cycle.

“I’ve devoted a lifetime to serving my state, my community, and my neighbors, but there is still much work to be done and many goals to accomplish before all the hay is in the barn,” Waggoner said.

“Though we’ve made tremendous progress over the years in education, economic development, and ensuring Alabama’s morals and values are protected, I remain committed to making our already great state even better.”

When the GOP won a legislative supermajority following the 2010 statewide elections, Waggoner’s years of dedicated service were recognized by his colleagues when he was selected as the first Republican Majority Leader in Alabama history.

He was also selected as Chairman of the powerful, agenda-setting Senate Rules Committee, an influential post Waggoner has held throughout the past 15 years.

Waggoner, 88, represents Senate District 16, which includes portions of Jefferson and Shelby counties in the Birmingham suburbs. He has served in the Alabama Senate since 1990 following 17 years in the Alabama House, first elected in 1966.

He was elected to the State Senate in 1990 and continues to serve in the upper chamber today.

Waggoner’s already record-setting 53-year legislative tenure at the end of this quadrennium will continue to grow with a new term and is likely to remain unmatched in history.

Among the hundreds of honors he has received is the Ronald Reagan Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented for his commitment to conservative principles and his dedication to serving the people of Alabama.

Waggoner and his wife, Marilyn, have been married for 67 years, and they are devoted members of the Homewood Church of Christ.

Earlier this year, Waggoner was honored byYellowhammer News as the 2025 recipient of the Power of Service Award, a lifetime achievement distinction awarded annually to one individual.

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.

The Energy Institute of Alabama (EIA) named Business Council of Alabama executive vice president and former Alabama Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield as its next president and CEO.

“We have worked closely with Clay for years and he is the absolute perfect leader to take on this new role running the Energy Institute of Alabama,” EIA Chairman Taylor Williams said of the appointment.

As president and CEO, Scofield will be working alongside Blake Hardwich who will serve as the EIA Government Relations Advisor, launching a new era of advocacy for Alabama’s energy sector.

“We appreciate Blake’s tireless service since the inception of the institute, and we are excited to benefit from her continued leadership and work for this organization,” Williams said.

“Our state can’t succeed economically without a strong, dynamic and resilient energy sector. Our energy policies must be forward-thinking and innovative, and we’re confident that Clay will bring the leadership that allows that to happen.”

Scofield said he is honored to join the institute at what he called a “pivotal moment for our state’s energy future.”

“Alabama has the resources, innovation, and leadership needed to ensure that we remain at the forefront of energy independence, economic growth, and national security. I look forward to working with our policymakers, industry leaders, and research partners to strengthen our energy infrastructure and position Alabama as a true leader in America’s energy renaissance.”

Scofield, an Alabama native and third-generation farmer was elected to the State Senate in 2010, representing District 9 for over a decade. He was elected by Senate Republican colleagues as Majority Leader from 2020 until his resignation in 2023.

At that time, he joined the Business Council of Alabama as executive vice president, where he oversaw ProgressPAC and advanced the organization’s legislative agenda.

His announcement today drew vocal support from Alabama’s U.S. Senators, who each related the move to the Trump administration’s conquest for energy dominance.

“I want to congratulate my friend Clay on this important new chapter,” said U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn).

“With President Trump back in the White House, the sky is the limit for American energy production. American energy dominance is critical not only to our economy, but to our national security. Alabama already punches far above our weight when it comes to national security, and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be a leader in energy production as well. As Alabama’s senior senator, I’m working with the Trump administration to make sure Alabama is first in line for any energy-related investments or opportunities.”

U.S. Senator Katie Britt also affirmed what the move means for the intersection of state and federal energy policy.

“President Trump ushered in a new era of American energy dominance in our nation, and now, with Clay Scofield as President and CEO of the Energy Institute of Alabama, a new chapter in our great state’s energy leadership is beginning,” Britt (R-Montgomery) said.

“Energy will continue to be one of the most vital pieces of our strategic growth in Alabama, and we need to strengthen this sector to ensure we remain competitive long into the future. I will always be a partner at the federal level to advance American energy dominance, bolster U.S. national security, and help hardworking Alabama families achieve their American Dream.”

According to EIA, Alabama lawmakers and Governor Ivey has taken strong steps to achieve a strong energy future.

During the 2025 legislative session, the Alabama Legislature passed and Governor Ivey signed the Powering Growth package of bills into law.

This package consisted of legislation intended to strengthen energy infrastructure and transmission, speed up energy projects, and position Alabama to compete and win in the realm of economic growth.

According to EIA, Scofield will play a key role in helping implement this ambitious plan and ensuring it enables Alabama to solidify itself as an energy powerhouse and an example to the rest of the nation.

Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) spoke to the importance of energy availability in economic development at a time where energy demand is increasing significantly.

“Whether it be his work expanding broadband infrastructure during his time in the Legislature or his efforts to support our state’s business community in his previous role, Clay has played a vital role in securing Alabama’s economic future,” said Speaker Ledbetter. “At a time when energy availability and economic growth have never been more connected, our state needs someone of Clay’s caliber leading EIA to ensure we are taking the necessary steps to remain competitive.”

“Alabama has already taken strong steps to pave the way toward increased energy production and transmission, but more work needs to be done in order to reach our full potential,” said Senate Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman).

“Building a more robust energy industry through the work of EIA will boost Alabama’s economic development, allow our existing industries to grow and expand, and attract even more jobs and opportunities, especially in the rural portions of our state.”

The Alabama Associated General Contractors Political Action Committee (AGCPAC) announced today its endorsement of Doug Harwell for State Senate District 34.

District 34 is currently represented by Sen. Jack W. Williams (R-Wilmer), who has served since 2018. Williams is not seeking re-election in 2026 and is instead running for Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.

AGC, the oldest and largest statewide trade association in the commercial construction industry, has a stated mission of bringing together qualified construction contractors and industry-related companies dedicated to skill, integrity, and responsibility.

According to AGC, governmental affairs play a critical role in their industry and that electing individuals who understand their issues is vital to the commercial construction industry’s success/

Doug Harwell is a licensed general contractor in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida. AGC says he knows firsthand the challenges facing the commercial construction industry. In 2010, Harwell started Harwell & Company with four employees; today, the company employs more than 40.

“We are proud to endorse Doug Harwell for the Alabama Senate. As a contractor and member of Alabama AGC, Doug has a unique understanding of our industry and the business community. We are confident that he will be an advocate in the Senate for both our members and the constituents of District 34,” Billy Norrell, CEO of Alabama AGC, said.

“Running a business teaches you three important things: problem-solving, listening, and leading. As a business owner, I see the daily challenges we face in starting and staying in business,” said Doug Harwell. “I am grateful for AGC’s endorsement, and I am ready to work with our business community to make Alabama the most business-friendly state in the nation.”

SD34 covers much of western and northern Mobile County, including and around Semmes, Wilmer, Citronelle, Creola, and Axis, as well as rural areas north of the City of Mobile.

The Alabama Republican Party primary election will be held on May 19, 2026.

Two of Montgomery’s top lobbyists have teamed up to co-found a new, namesake government relations and public affairs firm: Ross Taylor & Associates. 

John Ross and Charlie Taylor are behind the venture, which is launching with a roster of blue chip entities at the highest levels of Alabama’s public and private sectors, including major players in utilities, education, healthcare, and technology.

With offices in Montgomery, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa, the firm is making its debut in the competitive scene through an expansive practice, offering services that include state lobbying, federal government affairs, public affairs, business development strategy, and strategic advisory.

Ross, a young but seasoned veteran of Alabama politics and the State House, brings over two decades of experience in governmental affairs, public policy, and strategic consulting to the new partnership. 

He earned his reputation first as a top architect of the Alabama Republican Party’s historic 2010 campaign cycle. As Executive Director of the party, he and colleagues broke through to secure GOP victories on every level of the ticket, ending 136 years of Democrat majorities in both chambers of the Alabama Legislature. 

In the time since, Ross has been responsible for continued electoral dominance. He serves as a trusted advisor to officials across government, particularly, the senior leadership of the Alabama Legislature. In 2014, he managed Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter’s (R-Rainsville) initial campaign victory, and continues to be a close friend and advisor.

Ross has led successful campaign efforts on the gubernatorial, senatorial, congressional, and state legislative levels. 

Joining him as founding partner is Charlie Taylor, who most recently served as Vice Chancellor for External Affairs for the University of Alabama System. Taylor is among the most high-profile and trusted operators in Alabama politics. 

At UA System, Taylor managed lobbying efforts resulting in billions of dollars of state and federal funding for capital projects and operational needs in education and healthcare. 

Taylor has also arranged and overseen each recent visit President Donald Trump made to the University of Alabama, including a commencement address to 2025 graduates and a historic gameday between Alabama and Georgia, during which President Trump sat in Taylor’s box in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

With elite relationships among Senate and House leadership, both Ross and Taylor have been, and will continue to be, perennial features of the annual Yellowhammer News Power & Influence list.

“Ross Taylor & Associates is built on the belief that trusted relationships, honest counsel, and proven experience deliver real results,” said Ross. 

“We’re excited to help our clients achieve their public affairs goals while contributing to the long-term success of our state.”

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.

On Thursday morning, Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) endorsed Coach Tuberville for Governor of Alabama in 2026, speaking to their shared conservative principles, commitment to Alabama values, and dedication to economic growth and job creation.

“I look forward to working with my friend Senate Pro Tem Gudger to advance commonsense policies for Alabama,” U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) said.

“When President Trump visited Cullman in 2021, Garlan and I stood together on stage before tens of thousands of patriotic Alabamians – conservatives who demanded a government that puts people ahead of politics. That’s the kind of government I intend to deliver as Governor, and I am excited to work with Pro Tem Gudger. Together, we will build an even stronger Alabama.”

Gudger was elected to the Alabama Senate in 2018. He is a former Cullman City Councilman and current owner of Southern Accents Architectural Antiques.

In late 2024, Gudger was elected by fellow members of the Alabama Senate Republican Caucus to serve as President Pro Tem in a historic vote following Pro Tem Greg Reed’s exit to lead the Alabama Department of Workforce.

“Coach has been a battlefield general in the culture war – standing strong against the woke agenda that insists there are 74 genders, that men should compete in women’s sports, and that pornographic materials belong in children’s libraries,” Gudger said.

“At the same time, he’s committed to ensuring that businesses – from our largest employers to small mom-and-pop shops – have the tools they need to grow, expand, and provide good-paying jobs to hardworking Alabamians. Coach Tuberville shares our conservative beliefs and core values, and I know he will stand tall in the Governor’s office while making Alabama proud.”

He joins a deep bench of top officials and organizations in endorsing the former head coach and sitting senator, including U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery), Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Cullman), Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, the Business Council of Alabama, the Alabama Farmers Federation and others.

The upcoming legislative session will begin January 13, 2026. The Alabama Republican Party primary election for governor will be held on May 19, 2026.

Once elected as the Republican nominee for governor, Tuberville’s general election is set for November 3, 2026.

He is expected to take office in January 2027.

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.

Alabama shoppers will see two major sales tax changes at the register starting today.

The state’s sales tax on groceries drops from 3% to 2%, and a new three-year exemption removes the 4% state sales tax from a list of baby, maternity and menstrual products.

Under the grocery change, the 2% rate applies to “food” as defined by the federal SNAP program, excluding alcohol, tobacco and hot prepared foods.

A cut to the sales tax on groceries was first passed by the Alabama Legislature in 2023.

Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth led the charge and garnered unanimous support behind State Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre) and State Rep. Danny Garrett’s (R-Trussville) measure to implement a gradual reduction, tied to a 3.5% year-over-year increase in Education Trust Fund revenues.

At that time, it stood as the largest tax cut in Alabama history.

In 2025, lawmakers accelerated that reduction by an additional 1% — resulting in an estimated $123 million in annual savings.

Combined with previous cuts, the total savings from the grocery tax reduction will reach approximately $246 million annually.

Local city and county sales taxes are unchanged unless a local government votes to reduce them, which is now possible under the law.

Another tax cut begins today, covering baby formula, diapers, wipes, bottles, breast pumps and pumping equipment, maternity clothing and menstrual hygiene products.

A tax cut on this category of items was proposed in recent years by State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), and was finally accomplished in 2025 with support from both the Alabama House and Senate, as well as Governor Kay Ivey.

Taken together, today’s changes cap a run of tax relief passed by lawmakers this quadrennium.

Alabama also created a mileage income-tax credit for volunteer first responders beginning in 2024, finished phasing out the minimum state business privilege tax for small filers starting with the 2024 tax year, temporarily cut state taxes on overtime work, and provided one-time income-tax rebates $300 for working families.

“Another $135 million in tax cuts are now in effect,” Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) celebrated today.

“Our fiscally conservative approach to government has led to over $1.5 billion in tax cuts and Alabama being consistently recognized as one of the lowest taxed states in America.”

https://x.com/RepLedbetter/status/1962510781448126607

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.

State Rep. Matt Simpson and State Sen. April Weaver have officially pre-filed the ‘Child Predator Death Penalty Act’ for the 2026 legislative session, and they expect a speedy passage.

HB41 was introduced by Simpson (R-Daphne), and SB17 was simultaneously introduced by Weaver (R-Brierfield) to keep it high on the agenda when both chambers convene in January.

“Speaker Ledbetter and Pro Tem Gudger have assured us that quick passage of this legislation will be a top priority during the 2026 regular session,” Simpson and Weaver said in a joint statement.

“Once this bill is enacted and passes court muster, predators who abuse the most innocent among us will be eligible to receive the punishment they deserve – execution in Holman prison.”

In a Thursday media release, the lawmakers acknowledged the 2008 precedent set by the U.S. Supreme Court in Kennedy v. Louisiana, which held that capital punishment for any crime not involving the loss of life violates the protection against “unusual punishment” outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

However, Simpson and Weaver hope that Alabama’s joining the growing number of states with similar laws will prompt the Court to overturn that 5-4 decision and set a new precedent.

The bill comes on the heels of revelations that a child sex-trafficking ring, operated out of an underground bunker in Bibb County beginning as early as 2022, may have victimized at least 15 children ranging in age from 3 to 15 years old.

“Protecting Alabama’s children from harm is our most important responsibility as lawmakers, and you can tell from the overwhelming support for this bill that it is one we take seriously,” Alabama Senate Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) said in a statement to Yellowhammer News. 

“Child predators are being put on notice that if they harm even one child in Alabama, they will soon be put to death and see what Satan looks like.”

Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter has communicated direct support for the proposal.

https://x.com/RepLedbetter/status/1950298954081718651

“As Speaker, I don’t usually sign on bills, but I did on this one to make clear that we’re not going to tolerate it,” Ledbetter, one of 52 House members cosponsoring the bill, told Yellowhammer News.

Several Alabama House Democrats took issue with the legislation when Simpson sponsored it during the 2025 legislative session, with some arguing that Republicans supporting the bill while claiming to be pro-life is hypocritical.

“I believe you have a right to life, but your actions can cause you to lose that right,” Simpson said in response at the time.

The 2026 legislative session begins on January 13.

Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger named State Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Anniston) the new co-chair of the Legislature’s Joint Sunset Committee, a panel that decides whether dozens of state boards and commissions should be continued, consolidated, or shut down.

The appointment came as the committee begins requiring people who testify to do so under oath — a change leaders say is meant to curb bad information and tighten accountability.

They did so for the first time during Thursday’s hearing.

Gudger praised Kelley as a lawmaker who will “root out waste, fraud and abuse” and “demand a strong dose of accountability” from occupational and industry licensing boards.

RELATED: Alabama House Speaker, Senate Pro Tem, Governor activate DOGE on state level with new guidance on oversight, gutting waste

“After running fast and loose for far too long, the state’s occupational boards, agencies, and commissions have been placed under an intense microscope by the Joint Sunset Committee over  the past few years, and serious issues have been discovered in many of them,” Gudger (R-Cullman) said.

“Sen. Keith Kelley is fully committed to rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse where it exists, demanding a strong dose of accountability, and keeping the heat on those who think they can game the system.”

On the day Kelley assumed his position as co-chair, the committee began requiring individuals appearing before it to take a sworn oath similar to those given to witnesses in court proceedings.

The action was taken after some individuals testifying before the committee were discovered to have provided false, misleading, and incorrect information regarding the finances, procedures, and problems within their agencies.

RELATED: Pro Tem Gudger pushes for more government efficiency in Alabama using Trump’s DOGE model and sunset process

Within state law, the Sunset Committee holds public hearings, reviews audits from the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, and then sends “sunset bills” to the full Legislature, recommending whether agencies should continue, be restructured or terminated.

Debate on those bills is time-limited to force action.

State Sen. Keith Kelley, a realtor and longtime small-business owner from Calhoun County elected in 2022, already sits on several powerful Senate panels, including Finance and Taxation General Fund, Rules, State Governmental Affairs, Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Children and Youth Health, Veterans and Military Affairs, and County and Municipal Government.

He is also pushing governance changes for boards under Sunset.

In 2025, Kelley authored SB39, a bill that would require members of Sunset-subject boards to complete a five-hour governance course designed by the Examiners of Public Accounts in consultation with the Attorney General, covering open meetings, contract review, recurring audit problems and best practices. Earlier this year, the bill passed the Senate, but not the House.

With renewed focus around the sunset process, Kelley might bring similar and additional legislation when the 2026 session begins on January 13.

Grayson Everett is the editor and chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) launched a campaign for the U.S. Senate on Tuesday, leaning on a Wiregrass upbringing, faith in God, business grit, years of service in Congress, and a decade of high-profile loyalty to President Donald Trump. 

Later today, he’ll kick off his campaign at an event across the state from his district, in Sylvania, his wife Heather’s hometown. 

Moore told Yellowhammer News in an interview this week that he’s launching a 67-county push that sells his record – “not promises.”

Alabama needs an unmistakably pro-Trump vote in the upper chamber as border security, federal spending, American manufacturing, and individual liberties are at public policy crossroads, Moore says. 

“Because of President Trump being willing to go through what he went through, we had to stand with him. And we’ve been standing with him for 10 years,” Moore said, “We’re not some weathervane politician. We are doing what we believe we’re called to do, and a sense of trying to restore your liberty and protect your freedoms.”

RELATED: ‘Time to make Washington a little more like Alabama’: Barry Moore announces campaign for U.S. Senate

Moore grew up in Enterprise and still lives on the family farm with his wife of 33 years.

The community near Fort Rucker, he said, gave him a small-town life with a global understanding: helicopter pilots training from around the world.

Moore served six years in the Alabama Army National Guard and was attached to a medevac unit during the Desert Storm era. Moore, whose brother is a retired Marine/FA-18 pilot and whose son-in-law served as an Army Ranger, said that background is only a small part of his career-long motivation to serve veterans. 

He recalled a Vietnam veteran who stopped him in a restaurant to say his office had secured long-delayed hearing aids within two weeks.

“There are probably, honestly, a thousand of those stories,” Moore said.

“There needs to be no question in anybody’s mind that if President Trump’s leading, Alabama’s Senator needs to be with him,” Moore said. “This isn’t ambition – it’s an assignment.”

RELATED: Barry Moore unloads on 2026 rivals: I’m the ‘only candidate’ who is not a Democrat

In part, Moore helped build his political brand on a small-business in waste hauling — ultimately, garbage trucks. He and his wife founded Barry Moore Industries in Enterprise, a company that offers roll-off dumpster service, demolition and site services across southeast Alabama. 

“We came back, started a garbage company, Heather and I did. So, I started driving the old garbage truck. I still got my CDL, so I started. I get up about 3:00am in the morning, run the route and go out and sell accounts during the day. And so we’re 24 years in that – general contractor, probably 22 years of that. And so we just kind of grew this waste hauling business,” Moore said in the interview.

On the 2024 general election day, Moore arrived to vote in a garbage truck – an episode he recalled with a chuckle: “we just got that truck in. It was a brand new roll off truck.” He later leaned into the theme with a viral “D.C. Garbage” ad that won a Telly Award.

“I tell everybody, I’ve been in the garbage business, but the transition to politics is pretty easy,” he said. “You really, literally have so much stuff… and you just kind of have to sort through what’s really good,” Moore said.

In 2015 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Moore was the first elected official to take the stage to endorse then-candidate Donald Trump at one of the first rallies he ever held. 

“As we’re going through the tunnel towards the stage, [a fellow speaker] says, ‘Man, you want to go first, or you want to go last?’ I said, ‘Well, first,’” Moore recalled. “So I became the first elected official in the nation to endorse a guy from New York City who had no chance of winning,” Moore said. 

RELATED: Trumpapalooza: The night Alabama became the center of the political universe (2015)

Of then-U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions’s appearance that night, Moore said, “Sessions didn’t endorse that day. He came up later that day on the stage and talked about the border and he wore the hat. But he didn’t endorse until a few months later.”

But one year prior, Moore caught fire in a 2014 legal battle he describes as a politically motivated “perjury trap.” 

Moore’s political trajectory was reshaped in 2014, when a Lee County special grand jury indicted him on two counts of first-degree perjury and two counts of making false statements during the attorney general’s corruption probe tied to then-House Speaker Mike Hubbard.

He says attorneys urged him to “cut a deal,” but he refused, adopting a family motto – “We’re going to win the case and we’re going to win the race.” A jury later acquitted him.

Moore calls the episode his “refiner’s fire” and the moment he decided to judge the system by how it treats outsiders.

If elected in November 2026 and sworn in January 2027, Moore would fill the seat now held by U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor – with the GOP primary set for May 19, 2026.

RELATED: Tuberville officially running for Governor of Alabama in 2026

With just two years left of Trump’s second presidency, Moore said the Senate should “build on what [Trump] starts,” naming border security, great-power deterrence and a manufacturing-first economy as durable priorities.

“He will not be able to see all the fruits of his labor… but your kids, your grandkids… will see America move continually into the golden age if we’ll pursue what he’s doing.”

Moore also previewed how he’ll run across 67 counties: fewer door knocks, more high-density events and local media saturation, with his wife Heather, a frequent surrogate in past races, expected to play a visible role again.

“We’ve always been an incredible grassroots team,” he said, confident that will remain true throughout the 2026 campaign.

Asked directly whether he is the most conservative candidate currently in the field, Moore said he’s been the most conservative lawmaker everywhere he has served.

“I think if you look at my record, I’m probably the most conservative members in the entire U.S. Congress. And I think if you look at when I was the Alabama House of Reps, I was always number one, even with the 35 senators and 105 House members – I was one or two,” he said.

“I just don’t know any other way than who I am, and so it’s just who we are.”

In the time since the interview with Yellowhammer News, Moore has also publicly said he is the only candidate in the race who is not a Democrat.

A big leadership change in the state’s executive branch will take effect later this month in Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth’s appointment of Catherine Gayle Fuller as Chief of Staff today.

Ainsworth announced on Thursday morning that Fuller, a multi-year vet of the office, will step into the role formerly held by Jess Skaggs, who is transitioning into the Chief of Staff role for Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman).

RELATED: Jess Skaggs named as Chief of Staff to Pro Tem Gudger – Tim Howe to lead 2026 election strategy for Alabama Senate GOP incumbents

“Catherine Gayle has amassed significant experience during her time in the Governor’s Office and my office, and she is uniquely qualified to step into the role of chief of staff,” Ainsworth said.

“A true conservative who is led by her faith, Catherine Gayle is one of the smartest policy minds I know, and her ability to shape policy conversations will help us carry out our agenda as we continue working to make an already great state even better.”

Prior to being selected for the role, Fuller served as Deputy Chief of Staff, which included oversight of policy initiatives and working as the principal spokesperson for Lt. Governor Ainsworth.

RELATED: Lt. Governor Ainsworth hails pro-military bills passed in 2025 Alabama legislative session

Fuller previously worked as director of appointments for Gov. Kay Ivey and was responsible for vetting Alabamians who were placed on important boards, commissions, and oversight panels throughout state government.

She also served as senior policy advisor at the Alabama Department of Revenue under Commissioner Vernon Barnett.

Fuller earned undergraduate and masters degrees in political science from Samford University and the University of Alabama, and she is currently working toward her doctorate degree.

A native of Montgomery, she and her husband, Will, have one daughter, Louise.

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270

Several Alabama lawmakers were featured by The White House on its official social media channels today in praise of the benefits President Donald Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ will have on the Yellowhammer State.

On July 4, President Trump signed the tax and spending reconciliation package into law after it passed both chambers of Congress.

RELATED: With full support of Alabama GOP members, U.S. House passes President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

According to Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter, State Sen. Arthur Orr, and State Reps. Rex Reynolds and Susan DuBose, that means Alabama families will be keeping more hard earned money in their pockets.

“One Big Beautiful Bill will certainly will secure tax cuts for Alabamians, and we certainly support that,” Reynolds (R-Huntsville) said. “It will also work on our workforce retention and developing additional jobs in the future.”

 

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“It’s going to mean a lot to our state,” Orr (R-Decatur) said.

“So when it comes to the opportunity zones that are now going to be focused more for the rural areas, which is significant to a state like Alabama, additionally, the tax cuts for senior citizens and their Social Security overtime pay, other things that will certainly help our citizens, along with bringing the manufacturing jobs back home from offshore and improving our industrial base. So we’re grateful for all that has happened and appreciate the passage of that fine legislation.”

“Certainly appreciate President Trump and what he’s doing for Alabama,” Speaker Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) said. “And passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill helps our economy. Not only does it secure our borders, but it also helps to bring life into our education system.”

“I cannot thank President Trump enough for the impact this bill is going to make in the state of Alabama. We’re going to have our taxpayers be able to keep more of their hard earned dollar thanks to President Trump,” DuBose (R-Hoover) said.

RELATED: Britt, Tuberville hail tax cuts for Alabama families as major win in ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

Over 40 Alabama legislators attended last week’s White House State Leadership Conference, where state lawmakers met Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and officials from federal agencies to discuss how Trump’s policies can be implemented at the state level.

Those talks included the expansion of education tax credits, Medicaid eligibility rules, election integrity measures, and support for rural hospitals and public safety provisions.

Alabama’s top officials are aligning behind a renewed effort to impose the death penalty for those who rape children under the age of 12, following the horrific discovery of a child sex trafficking ring in Bibb County.

What began as a legislative push last year by State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) and State Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield) has ignited unified support from the highest levels of state government.

That now includes Governor Kay Ivey, Attorney General Steve Marshall, Speaker of the Alabama House Nathaniel Ledbetter.

At a press conference earlier today, Simpson was blunt about the stakes.

“It is unfortunate that we are here to discuss the rape of children and the penalties for the rape of children,” he said.

“Because we live in that world, we must have punishments for people that commit this offense. In my opinion, this is the worst of the worst of offenses… Because it is one of the worst offenses – it deserves the worst of the worst punishments.”

RELATED: Alabama lawmaker pushing for death penalty in child rape cases – ‘worst of the worst’ (2024)

The bill, which passed the House with support across party lines earlier this year before stalling in the Senate, would authorize capital punishment for anyone convicted of first-degree rape or sodomy involving a child under 12.

Simpson said Alabama must join the growing list of states taking action, including Florida, Tennessee, Idaho, Oklahoma, and Arkansas and has pre-filed legislation for the 2026 legislative session to accomplish that.

“Alabama needs to be on this list,” he added.

RELATED: Death penalty for child rapists? Alabama lawmakers renewing push after Bibb County bunker revelation

“We have to do everything in our power to protect Alabama’s children,” said Governor Kay Ivey in a statement issued shortly after Thursday’s press conference. “I look forward to fully supporting the bill by Rep. Matt Simpson and Sen. April Weaver to allow the death penalty for those who rape or sodomize a child.”

https://x.com/GovernorKayIvey/status/1950970242097668428

Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter echoed his members’ call for the measure.

“We passed this bill in the House last session and are prepared to do so again,” Ledbetter said. “Those who harm children have no place in our society.”

RELATED: Steve Marshall: Bibb County ‘Exhibit A’ for bringing back death penalty in child rape cases

Attorney General Steve Marshall, the state’s top prosecutor and law enforcement official, called the events in Bibb County beyond words.

“This, horrific, I don’t think does justice as a word for what we have at least initially learned taking place in Bibb County,” Marshall said. “…this investigation is a difficult lift. Not only because of the complicated nature of these cases, but I hope that you can also realize the impact that these cases have on law enforcement and prosecutors.”

“These are tough. But these men and women have dedicated their lives to providing accountability for those who have been harmed.”

Marshall pledged full support and vowed to defend the law against any legal challenges.

He pointed to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2008 ruling in Kennedy v. Louisiana, which held that the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment for crimes where the victim does not die, including child rape.

“Let’s be clear that if in fact, this is passed, there will be work done legally to be able to allow this to be enforceable,” Marshall said.

“I can tell you that if it occurs during my tenure as Attorney General, we’ll make sure that we are defending this law, as we’ve done many others that the legislature has passed, to be able to send a clear message about not only the intent of the legislature in protecting kids, but the public policy in our state is how we hold those who hurt our children accountable if, in fact, another state comes before us.”

RELATED: Alabama AG’s fight against gender transition procedures on minors forced a reckoning in the law – and medicine 

“But there’s a time to re-evaluate the analysis that Supreme Court used, as well as the importance states have placed upon this issue moving forward.” he said, referencing Alabama not being alone in doing so.

State Sen. April Weaver, who represents Bibb County in the Alabama Senate, said the horrific case has struck deeply within her community.

“I believe that there’s a special place in hell for child sex predators. When we pass this bill and when it is approved by the courts, there is also going to be a special place in Alabama for child sex predators: and that is on death row in Holman Prison,” Weaver said.

“I defy anyone, anywhere with any conscience or any sense of morals to look at this case and others like it and argue that the death penalty is not appropriate, stealing the innocence of a child, destroying their future before they have a chance to live it, and subjecting them to the kind of pain and torture that few among us can even comprehend,” she added.

“It should put you in the express line to the death chamber and get you fitted for a nitrogen hypoxia gas mask before the judge is finished banging their gavel.”

Weaver also urged swift legislative action in her chamber from Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman).

“I’ve asked Pro Tem Gudger to prioritize this bill when the Senate returns. If it spares even one child from suffering, or sends one predator to an early grave, it will have done its job.”

RELATED: Horrific crimes revealed in Bibb County: Sheriff Wade details child sexual abuse bunker

Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade, whose department uncovered what’s being described as one of the most disturbing abuse cases in state history, stood shoulder to shoulder with lawmakers and state officials on Thursday.

“This is one of the most horrific cases of child sexual abuse that any of us can remember in our combined careers,” Wade said. “The death penalty for pedophiles — I support it, and I appreciate our lawmakers for everything they’re doing.”

Grayson Everett is the editor and chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270

In light of the horrific child sex abuse case uncovered recently in Bibb County, two state lawmakers are renewing an effort to make Alabama among the first in the nation to allow the death penalty for child rapists.

State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne) and State Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield) are expected to reintroduce legislation that would permit prosecutors to seek capital punishment in cases of first-degree rape or sodomy involving victims under the age of 12.

The bill, originally introduced during the 2025 regular legislative session as HB49 by Simpson, cleared the Alabama House in February with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, but awaited final passage in the Senate.

RELATED: Alabama lawmaker pushing for death penalty in child rape cases – ‘worst of the worst’

The legislation directly challenges the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2008 ruling in Kennedy v. Louisiana, which held that the death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment for crimes where the victim does not die, including child rape.

Simpson and Weaver, along with Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade — who is currently investigating the heinous discovery that involved children as young as three — and Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, will hold a press conference on Thursday to argue a reconsideration of that precedent through reform.

RELATED: Horrific crimes revealed in Bibb County: Sheriff Wade details child sexual abuse bunker

Simpson, a member of the Alabama House Judiciary Committee, adamantly argued nearly one year ago that Alabama, alongside Florida and Tennessee, which have recently passed similar laws, can lead the way in pushing the court to re-examine the limits of capital punishment in the context of child sexual abuse.

Particularly in the wake of the Bibb County case that continues to produce gut-wrenching details.

“I don’t think anyone who commits offenses on a child this young can be rehabilitated,” Simpson said last year.

Grayson Everett is the editor and chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270

Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger announced Friday that he is strategically reshuffling two of the state’s top legislative staffers ahead of the 2026 election cycle.

Tim Howe, who has served as Chief of Staff in the Pro Tem’s office since 2023, will depart the role to lead the incumbent protection program for FORGE PAC, Gudger’s political action committee focused on maintaining the Senate GOP supermajority in 2026.

Taking over as Chief of Staff will be Jess Skaggs, who currently serves as Chief of Staff to Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth.

“I’m fortunate these two men are willing to assume these new positions, which fit the specific talents and skill sets that each possess, and help us continue providing commonsense conservative leadership to the Alabamians we swore an oath to serve,” Gudger (R-Cullman) said.

RELATED: Garlan Gudger reports raising $1.8 million for Alabama Senate leadership PAC

Skaggs has served as Ainsworth’s Chief of Staff since 2022 after spending four years as his deputy.

According to both Ainsworth and Gudger, Skaggs was instrumental in advancing Senate-driven legislative agendas, which has included the successful repeal of the state sales tax on groceries, expansions in workforce and economic development, and deepened support for Alabama’s military community.

“Jess has been an incredible and loyal employee, and he shares in much of our success,” Ainsworth said on Friday. “His relationships with the senators and his knowledge of the legislative process will be as much of an asset to Pro Tem Gudger as they have been to me.”

Skaggs’ earlier roles included service as legislative aide to former State Sen. Tripp Pittman, Director of the Baldwin County Legislative Delegation, and as Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries for External Affairs.

“Jess has served Lt. Gov. Ainsworth exceptionally well as his chief of staff and will bring the trust and relationships he has built with members of the State Senate to my office,” Gudger added.

RELATED: Garlan Gudger elected by Alabama Senate Republican Caucus to succeed Greg Reed as President Pro Tempore

In 2023, then-President Pro Tem Greg Reed appointed Tim Howe as Chief of Staff. He remained at the helm of the office when Gudger was officially elected as Pro Tem earlier this year.

Howe is one of the top political minds in the state. He served as executive director of the Alabama Republican Party in the lead up to the historic power shift that took place in 2010 when the GOP recaptured the majority of the Alabama Legislature for the first time in 136 years.

He has run and consulted on the most consequential statewide and legislative campaigns of the past 25 years and is a previous owner of Yellowhammer News. 

On Friday, Gudger said Howe is investing his acumen in the 2026 election cycle to benefit the Republican members of the Alabama Senate.

“Tim’s political background and experience makes him the perfect choice to head FORGEPAC’s incumbent protection efforts and preserve our supermajority of conservative Republicans in the Alabama Senate,” Gudger said.

According to the Pro Tem’s office, the transition will be completed by the end of August.

Grayson Everett is the editor and chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270

A familiar name to North Alabama conservative politics made it official on Thursday that he’s running for State Senate.

John Roberts, a commercial real estate developer who lives, works and raises his family in the Huntsville-area Senate District  2, said he’s running to serve Alabamians for generations to come.

At age 33, Roberts is seeking the seat held by longtime State Sen. Tom Butler (R-Madison), who announced this week that the 2026 legislative session will be his final one — and that his seat will be up for grabs the same year.

RELATED: Alongside colleagues and friends, State Sen. Tom Butler announces retirement in 2026 after decades of service to Alabama

“Today, I am announcing my candidacy for Senate District 2 because I believe in Alabama’s untapped potential,” Roberts said. “As a father, I’m not just thinking about the next election—I’m thinking about the next generation.”

“It’s time to build on our momentum as a state and create a future where Alabama leads, not follows. I want to see a state where hard work is rewarded, families are supported, and our children inherit a place they’re proud to call home.”

Roberts, who leads one of the region’s top commercial real estate outfits, Freedom Real Estate & Capital, founded by Alabama business titan Bill Roark, also brings a sharp background of workforce and economic development to his bid for public office.

Roberts previously served as Business Retention & Expansion Director for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, where he played a key role in recruiting new jobs and supporting local industry. He worked on some of the region’s largest economic development projects and built strong relationships with area employers to help grow the region’s economy.

RELATED: From politics to parenthood, it’s been a year for John Roberts

According to his campaign, Roberts’ commitment to workforce development is proven. During his time at the Huntsville Madison County Builders Association, he co-founded the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy, a no-cost school that prepares individuals for careers in the construction trades.

The academy’s success was recognized with the AlabamaWorks Innovator Award by Governor Kay Ivey in 2021.

In 2022, at age 30, Roberts also went big for a bid to represent North Alabama in Congress, running for the open 5th Congressional District, following former U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks’ exit from the seat after more than ten years.

At that time, Roberts mounted an ambitious and wide-reaching campaign operation that earned him nearly 14% of the vote in what was effectively a four-way race between then-Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong, former Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Casey Wardynski, and former State Senator Paul Sanford.

RELATED: John Roberts: Our nation and party’s futures are bright

Today, with his sights now set on the Alabama Legislature, Roberts says District 2 and the state as a whole has the opportunity to capitalize on gains made by President Trump and a Republican-controlled U.S. Congress.

“The Trump administration is laying the groundwork for American prosperity, and Alabama must be ready to build on it,” Roberts said. “We will create a state where our children can find great jobs, our businesses can thrive without red tape, and our families can get ahead. It all starts with investing in our people and building our workforce.”

“District 2 sits at the center of Alabama’s innovation economy, with world-class aerospace, technology, and manufacturing companies. We need leadership that understands what it takes to stay competitive. Through strategic partnerships with UAH, Calhoun Community College, and our K-12 schools, we’ll develop the skilled workforce that keeps our district leading Alabama’s economic future.”

Roberts also pledged on Thursday to take the fight to Montgomery for North Alabama’s fair share.

“For too long, the Montgomery system has ignored our growth,” Roberts said.

“Our district is home to two of the state’s fastest-growing counties, yet for every infrastructure dollar we send to Montgomery, political insiders only send 33 cents back. That’s not just unfair, it’s bad business for Alabama. I’ll work to bring your money home.”

The Alabama Republican Party primary will be held on May 19, 2026.

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.

On Tuesday morning, State Sen. Tom Butler announced formally that he will not seek re-election in 2026.

Butler was joined by fellow lawmakers, local officials, and longtime friends who gathered to honor his decades-long Alabama legislative career.

“This is a sad day – and a happy day,” Butler (R-Madison) said. “Sad for me, happy for my wife. She was doing a little dance this morning.”

Butler, 81, a pharmacist by trade, who was first elected to the Alabama House in 1982, has served a total of more than 40 years in the state legislature across both chambers and parties.

“I have enjoyed my tenure in the House and the Senate,” he told those gathered. “We have been able to do a few things that are positive… but I still have a year and a half left in service to the state, and I intend to make the most of that. I’m not going to be a lame duck – I’m going to be out swimming the rest of them.”

RELATED: Tom Butler, longtime Alabama State Senator, not seeking re-election in 2026

Butler was praised by friends and colleagues on Tuesday for his influence, mentorship, and dedication to the people of Madison County and the State of Alabama.

State Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville), one of the youngest members of the Alabama Legislature, introduced the speakers, as well as Butler himself, who Lomax commended for a “career built on public service and steadfast leadership.”

State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) and former Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon reflected on Butler’s leadership in the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) process – which has wielded a historically instrumental role in Redstone Arsenal and long positioned North Alabama for future economic growth.

“You had the ability to have the vision of what could be based on what we were dealing with at the time,” McCutcheon said. “And now we see that vision has come true. You’ve left a legacy behind.”

State Sen. Wes Kitchens (R-Arab) called Butler “a true statesman.”

“He’s someone who’s made a difference, not just for Madison County and for this region, but for the entire state of Alabama. He took me under his wing when I moved up to the Senate. He’s not just a colleague – he’s a friend,” Kitchens said.

RELATED: Butler introduces bill to replicate ‘iconic’ I-65 rocket

State Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville) recalled how Butler welcomed her into the legislature by giving her his own Alabama House member lapel pin. But what stood out most, she said, was a story from one of their constituents.

“She told me, ‘I can call him at midnight, 3 a.m., about the children I’m taking care of, and he will get out of his bed and make sure they get their medication,’” Hall said. “That was a beautiful tribute to you, and I’ve always respected you for that.”

In his remarks, Butler reflected on that story. “Those kind of stories – that’s the story of service. That’s what I’m about,” he said.

One of Butler’s most well-known legislative achievements – requiring Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in schools and public buildings – was born from a deeply personal experience.

After suffering a cardiac arrest during a walk near his home, Butler’s life was saved by a defibrillator placed at the Madison Fire Department – the very first one he had helped procure as part of his advocacy for AEDs.

“We’ve had many, many saves with that program,” Butler said, referencing the loss of a 14-year-old student in Madison as another source of motivation. “We put those defibrillators statewide… and one of the lives they saved was my own.”

RELATED: Alabama Senate passes Sen. Butler’s bill to eliminate state business privilege tax

State Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest) credited Butler’s leadership with saving countless lives, and said he impressed on him

“He’s a humble giant. His shoes will be very difficult to fill,” Whitt said. “You’ve been a mentor to me for 40 years.”

Nearly every speaker recalled the personal impact Butler had on their lives and careers. State Rep. Phillip Rigsby (R-Huntsville), also a pharmacist, said Butler was the first to suggest he run for office.
“He gave me his card, wrote his number on the back, and said, ‘Pharmacists make great politicians.’ I still have that card,” Rigsby said. “It’s because of you that I said yes to this.”

Butler, true to form, closed his remarks by saying, “Call me anytime I can help you.”

Butler’s decision not to seek re-election will open up Alabama Senate District 2, which includes portions of Madison and Limestone counties, for the 2026 cycle. The Alabama Republican Party primary election will be held on May 19, 2026.

An era in state and local politics is coming to an end.

After four decades in the Alabama Legislature, State Sen. Tom Butler said he is not seeking re-election.

Butler (R-Madison) will announce his plans and reflect on his legacy in a news conference Tuesday at the Madison County Legislative Office in downtown Huntsville.

Members of the Madison County Delegation will be in attendance to show their support and recognize Butler’s contributions to the state and community.

Butler represents Senate District 2 which encompasses east Limestone County and western Madison County, including the cities of Athens, Huntsville and Madison.

As a Democrat, before his term in the Alabama Senate, Butler served in the Alabama House from 1982-94. He was then elected to the Senate and served from 1994-2010.

In 2011, he joined the Republican Party and was elected to represent District 2 in the State Senate in 2018. Butler was reelected in 2022; his term ends 2026.

Courtesy of 256 Today. 

In just over seven months since forming a new political action committee to support the GOP supermajority in the Alabama Senate, President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger reported on Wednesday that it has already raised a war chest of nearly $1.8 million.

FORGE PAC, first registered in November of 2024 following Gudger’s election by the Alabama Senate GOP Caucus to serve as pro tem, posted its latest monthly filing, showing a $1,684,622.08 total balance stacked on top of numerous major contribution reports throughout 2025.

Today, Gudger reports a total of $1,789,800 in contributions raised is an astronomical figure that is likely a record-setter of its kind.

RELATED: Garlan Gudger elected as Alabama Senate Pro Tem, expresses gratitude and shares vision

“The Alabama Legislature is recognized by many as the most conservative in the nation, and we earned that title through hard work, tackling the tough issues head on, and remaining true to commonsense principles and core conservative values,” Gudger (R-Cullman) said.

“Our Senate Republicans have produced solid achievements and real results, and this record-breaking report signals that Alabamians across the state want us to continue on this course for another four years.”

Gudger said that the achievement was made possible by the conservative policies passed and promoted by members of the Senate Republican Caucus throughout the current quadrennium.

According to Gudger, contributions made to FORGE PAC will be used to support the election efforts of incumbent conservative lawmakers that comprise the Republican supermajority, which currently holds 27 of 35 seats in the Alabama Senate.

RELATED: Garlan Gudger: Alabama Legislature seeks to protect our rural roots with 2025 session accomplishments

“Campaign season is no time for summer soldiers and sunshine patriots, so we will continue raising resources and supporting our incumbents every day until the 2026 election,” Gudger said.

“Our goal is simple — returning a committed conservative supermajority to the Alabama Senate and completing our single-minded mission of making an already great state even better.”

Gudger was elected by the Alabama Senate Republican Caucus in November following Secretary Greg Reed’s transition to lead the transformed Department of Workforce under Governor Kay Ivey. He was elected as President Pro Tempore in a unanimous vote of the full Alabama Senate on the first day of the 2025 legislative session.

According to his office, Gudger immediately redoubled his fundraising efforts upon securing the post.

In a specially called and contentious primary election battle in Alabama House District 11, Heath Allbright emerged victorious over Don Fallin.

As the old saying goes — “money is the lifeblood of politics” — and the House District 11 special election primary was a prime example that resources can make all the difference in a close race.

RELATED: Heath Allbright defeats Don Fallin in Alabama House District 11 special election

The political action committees of the Alabama Forestry Association, Alabama Farmers Federation, the Business Council of Alabama and others donated heavily to the Allbright campaign throughout the race.

These resources played a critical role in Allbright retaking the momentum in the final days of the campaign and claiming victory in the special primary election.

Here’s where the two candidates drew the most fundraising support: