Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth announced on Tuesday that William Newman, a veteran policy analyst and governmental affairs professional, has been appointed to serve as deputy chief of staff in his office.
Lawmakers returned to Montgomery today for the first day of the 2026 legislative session.
“William Newman has the institutional knowledge and hands-on experience necessary to serve my office and the citizens of Alabama well,” Ainsworth said.
“Most importantly, William possesses the grit, determination, and innovative approach to issues that will help my office complete our goals throughout the next year.”
Prior to joining Ainsworth’s office, Newman served as director of governmental affairs and policy at the Business Council of Alabama, where he was employed for five years.
RELATED: ‘Working for Alabama’ signed into law as state sets course for economic, workforce growth
In that role, he worked closely with the Alabama Legislature to enact pro-business bills and measures, and he brings established working relationships with lawmakers in both chambers to Ainsworth’s office.
“Lt. Gov. Ainsworth is known throughout the Alabama State House for implementing conservative reforms and making things happen, and I look forward to helping him keep that well-earned reputation,” Newman said.
“With his initiatives in workforce development, expanding Alabama’s military footprint, promoting the state’s aerospace industry, and others, the lieutenant governor has promised me a full plate of work to accomplish.”
A graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in in Finance, Newman previously managed operations and logistics in an area small business and interned with Congressman Bradley Byrne prior to joining BCA.
Lt. Governor Ainsworth made another recent high-level staff move in naming longtime Alabama State House veteran Connie Rowe as his chief of staff following Catherine Gayle Fuller’s transition to the private sector.
Alabama’s future is bright. You can see it in the jobs we are landing, the workers we are training, and the confidence employers are showing in every corner of the state.
Most people understand what it takes to keep that momentum going: a climate that is ripe for investment, a friendly regulatory environment, and reliable, affordable energy for families and businesses.
That is why the recent action taken by the Public Service Commission matters. Last week, commissioners approved a two-year moratorium plan that keeps power rates at today’s levels through 2027.
At a time when prices for everybody goods seem higher than normal, two years of insurance and protection from rate increases is good news for Alabama households and job creators.
Unless, apparently, you are the liberal, environmentalist-funded, activist group known as Energy Alabama.
According to that leftist crowd, holding the line against energy inflation and placing solid roadblocks against any and all increases is somehow harmful and, in their words, “political.” That tells you more about where they are coming from than where Alabama is headed.
Energy Alabama presents itself as a neutral “clean energy” group, and its own materials declare that “Alabama can be a zero-carbon state.”
It promotes absolutely absurd goals like taking Huntsville to 100 percent clean energy by 2025 and the entire state by 2035 — dreamy timelines that make for compelling fundraising emails but abandon any chance of keeping the power grid reliable 99 percent of the time.
Their plan is basically the same Green New Deal promoted by AOC and Bernie Sanders, but this one comes wrapped in an Alabama flag.
Closer inspection reveals a bit of fine print that you never see in their quotes or Facebook ads.
Based on his social media footprint, the executive director is a liberal extremist by Alabama standards and draws a paycheck from the Energy and Policy Institute, a dark-money messaging shop that refuses to reveal its backers.
The self-appointed referee on “transparency” operates out of a California P.O. Box and by all appearances has no physical address.
So when Energy Alabama pops up in your social feed or on TV, you are not hearing from a small, homespun Huntsville sustainability group — you are hearing scripted lines from a liberal, George Soros-style national campaign operation that does not want you to know who is paying for their microphone.
That is their right, but Alabamians deserve to know who is pulling the strings from behind the curtain.
Energy Alabama does not have to keep the lights on in a July heatwave. It does not have to decide how to balance reliability, cost, and growth when a manufacturer or hospital considers expanding in our state. It does not answer for what happens if its wish-list policies go wrong.
Those of us who embrace reality and understand simple economics see a very different and vivid landscape.
Companies are investing in Alabama, not fleeing. Advanced manufacturers, logistics hubs, tech and aerospace employers are choosing Alabama because we are among the nation’s most business-friendly states, and we work every day to recruit, create, and expand long-lasting, high-paying, 21st Century jobs.
You do not build that kind of track record by chasing hashtags. You build it by making responsible decisions that give families much-needed breathing room and provide employers of all sizes the confidence to put deep roots in Alabama.
Energy Alabama will continue its efforts to turn every regulatory decision into a national Twitter fight, and while that may be good for their fundraising, it is bad for Alabama.
The rest of us should keep our focus on what matters — keeping energy costs level for consumers, maintaining Alabama’s economic competitiveness with our sister southeastern states, and ensuring our power grid remains reliable so when you flip a switch, the lights actually come on.
Alabama’s future is bright — and no amount of manufactured noise from leftist-funded critics with California P.O. boxes is going to change that indisputable and obvious fact.
Will Ainsworth is the Lieutenant Governor of Alabama.
On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth campaigned with Republican Garrett Dixon in a hotly-contested Alabama House special election to fill the seat of former State Rep. Debbie Wood.
Ainsworth said he drove three hours on Veterans Day to campaign with Dixon ahead of a Tuesday GOP runoff election against Kristin Nelson to decide the next State Representative for the Chambers and Lee Counties district.
The Alabama Forestry Association, Ainsworth, and Dixon came together to host a “Thank A Veteran” Lunch at Beulah High School in Lee County.
Citizens from across Lee and Chambers Counties attended to thank their local veterans.
Dixon, Ainsworth and AFA all understand the importance of Alabama being the most veteran-friendly state. This lunch gave Dixon the opportunity to celebrate District 38’s veterans and thank them for their service.
In a video message on Tuesday, Ainsworth praised Dixon as a “family man,” farmer, small-business owner, and an outsider who would “support President Trump and conservatives” in Montgomery.
“Garrett Dixon, I’m excited to support him here on this Veterans Day. We’re supporting veterans across this district,” Ainsworth said.
“When you think about Garrett Dixon, you’ve got a family man. His wife is a public school teacher. I think that’s a huge deal. His kids go to public school. His wife’s in the public school teaching. That’s the big difference between him and his opponent.”
“He’s a farmer and he’s a small business owner. When you look at the fact we need more people with that background in Montgomery, and thing I love about him, he’s not part of the establishment. He’s not part of the system. This guy has been a farmer. He’s worked his way and built his business.”
“He’s going to make a difference and be an outsider. He’ll support President Trump, support conservatives in this district, and we got to get them elected. That’s why I drove three and a half hours this morning. Support my friend, Garrett Dixon,” Ainsworth added.
Ainsworth endorsed Dixon back in August right after his official campaign announcement – as did the Alabama Forestry Association.
“AFA is proud to endorse Garrett in this upcoming special election,” said Chris Isaacson, AFA President and CEO. “Garrett’s principles align with what we believe. He knows the importance of the forest industry in his district and we look forward to his voice being heard in the State House.”
HD38 voters will return to the polls on Tuesday, November 18 after no candidate cleared 50% in an October GOP special primary. Returns showed Nelson led with 46.69% to Dixon’s 33.28%, with Micah Messer at 20.03%
Messer has since thrown his weight behind Dixon and supported him on the campaign trail headed into the runoff.
Nelson is chair of the Chambers County Republican Party and husband of Jeff Nelson, the elected Sheriff of Chambers County.
Dixon is a cotton and peanut farmer and small-business owner from Lee County.
The seat opened when former Rep. Debbie Wood resigned this summer after relocating to be closer to her husband’s job near the Florida Panhandle.
Ainsworth’s Veterans Day stop follows earlier praise for Dixon’s candidacy, calling him “exactly the kind of person we need serving in Montgomery.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth announced he’s putting his political muscle behind Public Service Commissioner Chris Beeker on Wednesday.
Ainsworth endorsed the freshman commissioner for a full term and framing the 2026 race as a choice between continued, conservative leadership for Alabama — or Biden-era energy mandates and federal overreach.
“Chris Beeker is the proven conservative leader that we need working every day to keep energy costs affordable for families and businesses while fighting the radical environmentalist agenda and Green New Deal nonsense,” Ainsworth said.
“He is young and energetic and embodies the next generation of conservative public servants who are stepping forward to lead Alabama to even higher heights.”
“As a cattle and catfish farmer, Chris understands the importance of grit, hard work, and tenacity, which are qualities that every leader must possess, and his appointment as USDA Alabama Rural Development Director by President Trump during his first term shows he has the MAGA seal of approval” he said.
“I’m standing with Chris Beeker because he is using his seat on the Public Service Commission to stand tall for all of us.”
Beeker was appointed last year to fill the Place 2 term of his father, longtime Commissioner Chris “Chip” Beeker Jr., who stepped down due to health issues. He formally launched his 2026 campaign this summer.
Before joining the PSC, Beeker served as President Trump’s USDA Rural Development Director for Alabama, where he helped steer funding to rural water, broadband, housing, and infrastructure.
In his 2026 race, Beeker is quickly earning support from key groups, including a recent endorsement from the Electric Cooperatives of Alabama PAC.
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.
Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth put out a call Thursday to the public to send him “experiences, critiques, and assessments of the Alabama High School Athletic Association, along with recommendations for needed changes and reforms in the governing body.”
Ainworth is compiling the input through his email at ltgov@ltgov.alabama.gov.
His action follows AHSAA’s recent decision to deny eligibility to CHOOSE Act students.
“The AHSAA’s decision to declare itself above the law is the symptom of a much bigger problem — a complete lack of accountability for its actions,” Ainsworth said in a release Thursday.
“It is obvious that we must look into reforming how high school athletics are governed and regulated in Alabama, so I invite the public to send me their thoughts, suggestions, and experiences as we put together a plan.”
“Despite the fact that state law specifically shields students from having their athletic eligibility stripped as a result of participating in Alabama’s CHOOSE Act school choice program, the AHSAA has chosen to ignore the statute and deny them participation, wrongly claiming the voucher system that simply allows taxpayer dollars to follow the child is a form of financial aid.
“The same Alabama High School Athletic Association responsible for making sure teams do not break the rules is BREAKING THE LAW by denying eligibility to CHOOSE Act students. I’ll offer legislation to strip AHSAA of its power and give it to an entity that will follow the law.”
Governor Kay Ivey and House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) also filed a lawsuit against the AHSAA, and a Montgomery circuit judge has issued a stay pausing the eligibility denials.
The CHOOSE Act ruling was just the latest in a series of high-profile controversies surrounding the AHSAA, which operates with little to no oversight or accountability.
In 2022, the AHSAA generated national headlines by forcing Oakwood Adventist Academy in Huntsville, a school affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, to forfeit a Saturday afternoon regional semifinal basketball game to Faith Christian School because students and coaches did not wish to violate their religious beliefs by playing on their Sabbath.
Postponing the game by just three hours would have allowed the Oakwood Academy team to play in the tournament without sacrificing religious practices.
In 2019, the AHSAA was again mired in national controversy when it denied the senior year eligibility of Charles Henderson High School standout basketball player Maori Davenport of Troy.
The AHSAA rescinded Davenport’s eligibility due to a clerical error involving her play with the Team USA basketball program, and the controversial decision prompted several influential sportswriters, television personalities, and professional athletes across the United States to speak out on the high school student’s behalf.
A Pike County circuit judge issued an emergency order restoring eligibility to Davenport, who was ranked as the 15th best women’s basketball recruit in the nation, after her family filed a lawsuit.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
Guntersville’s 2025 mayoral race will be settled in a head-to-head runoff between incumbent Leigh Dollar and former State Rep. Jeff McLaughlin after a vote earlier this month ended in an ultra-rare tie.
Dollar has served as Guntersville’s mayor since 2012. During her tenure, she’s navigated growth, lake-driven tourism, and core services for a city that continues to punch above its population size in terms of state and regional influence.
Ahead of a September 23 runoff, Guntersville residents are vocalizing concern over Jeff McLaughlin’s time as an elected official in Montgomery.
Melanie Goff, President of the Marshall County Republican Women, recalled publicly yesterday that McLaughlin was identified as Alabama’s “2nd Most Liberal Legislator” during the 2010 campaign cycle, drawn from vote scorecard data issued by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).
“While this a non-partisan race and based on Alabama law, candidates running in the Municipal races do not have to declare party affiliation, but Mr McLaughlin has a long established record as a Democrat,” Goff wrote.
The Marshall County Democratic Party is publicly backing McLaughlin’s bid for mayor.
McLaughlin was an elected Democrat for House District 27 from 2001 to 2010 before being defeated by former State Rep. and current Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth in 2014. He was one of the last remaining white Democrats in the Alabama Legislature.
In addition to having a public, left-leaning record during his time in office, records also show McLaughlin donated to fellow Democrats Hillary Clinton and Doug Jones.
In 2016, McLaughlin’s law firm donated $1,200.00 to Clinton’s failed presidential campaign.
One year later, he also made a $1,000.00 donation to Doug Jones’s campaign for U.S. Senate against Roy Moore.
Just yesterday, a group that is backing McLaughlin’s bid for Guntersville mayor, “Liberal Agenda for North Alabama,” posted a despicable message in the immediate aftermath of conservative political icon Charlie Kirk’s assassination on a Utah university campus.
“I have no sympathy for him,” the group wrote. “He can live–or die–by his own words.”
The post, censored below by Yellowhammer News, included an image that has been glorified by left-wing social media users, capturing the moment Kirk was fatally shot.
Last week, the same group made an endorsement.
“Guntersville. Vote McLaughlin for Mayor!”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
Bradford Health Services has filed a formal challenge to Longleaf Recovery & Wellness’s Certificate of Need application for Longleaf Lodge, a 60-bed residential addiction treatment campus proposed for the Sunshine Farms site in Sterrett, located in Shelby County.
The CON Review Board is set to hear the case October 15.
The filing marks Bradford’s second attempt this year to halt the project.
In March, the Statewide Health Coordinating Council approved, and Governor Kay Ivey signed, a state plan adjustment authorizing 60 new substance-use treatment beds in Shelby County.
Letters of support for Longleaf’s proposed project have been submitted by Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville), Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Kim Boswell, and many others.
Alabama-based Longleaf currently operates four outpatient facilities across the state and has provided both mental health and substance use treatment since 2021, treating more than 1,600 clients.
The Longleaf Lodge plan includes 10 medically monitored detox beds and 50 residential beds and would be one of the few in-state residential options for commercially insured patients not operated by Bradford.
In Alabama’s residential addiction-treatment market, Bradford Health Services holds a de facto monopoly.
Bradford operates residential campuses in Warrior and Madison. Its Warrior site alone is licensed for 182 beds, giving Bradford the largest in-state footprint for residential substance-use care.
Bradford, a private-equity-backed company whose main focus has been expansion outside of Alabama in recent years, argues the expansion is untimely and unnecessary, citing capacity at its Warrior and Madison campuses.
However, Longleaf says Alabama’s shortage is forcing care across state lines.
Its Birmingham Recovery Center refers more than 40 patients a month out of state for residential treatment. Alabama’s overdose rate has more than doubled since 2014.
“Alabama families don’t need another delay. They need a place to heal close to home,” Colin Harris, Longleaf’s CEO told Yellowhammer News. “The Statewide Health Coordinating Council studied the data, voted to add 60 beds in Shelby County, and Governor Ivey signed that adjustment in March.”
Harris said their plan for Longleaf Lodge is ready to go.
“Every month we wait is another month of Alabama families driving hundreds of miles, paying more for care, or giving up altogether,” he added.
“This is about doing what’s right for Alabamians.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
The Alabama High School Athletic Association has finally gone too far and is about to get its hand slapped by lawmakers.
Governor Kay Ivey, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, and others have worked to undo their attempt to keep kids from playing sports if they dared to use school choice, and the courts have agreed with them.
It is time to fire these people, end the entity, and start over.
Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN
Alabama Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth has endorsed Garrett Dixon for the open House District 38 seat, calling him “exactly the kind of person we need serving in Montgomery.”
Ainsworth announced his support on Facebook and X, praising Dixon’s conservative values and their shared background in the Alabama Farmers Federation.
“Garrett Dixon is EXACTLY the kind of person we need serving in Montgomery—conservative, devout, and honest to his core,” Ainsworth wrote.
“We met as young farmers in the Alabama Farmers Federation, and I knew then he was the real deal. Join me in supporting Garrett Dixon for a better Alabama.”
https://x.com/willainsworthAL/status/1958161407851278443
Dixon, a conservative Republican and longtime cotton and peanut farmer, launched his campaign earlier this week.
A lifelong resident of Chambers County and a graduate of Auburn University, Dixon said he intends to bring a business-minded approach to Montgomery and be a strong voice for rural communities in Chambers and Lee counties.
RELATED: Garrett Dixon, conservative farmer and businessman, announces bid for Alabama House District 38
The special primary election to fill the remainder of former Rep. Debbie Wood’s term is set for October 21, 2025.
Dixon will face Kristin Nelson of Valley, chair of the Chambers County Republican Party, and Micah Messer of Smiths Station, a small business owner, law enforcement officer, and U.S. Army veteran.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at sherri@yellowhammernews.com.
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).
“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
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.
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
On Thursday, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, who was widely speculated as the frontrunner in the 2026 race for Governor of Alabama prior to this year, publicly backed the man who is now a lock for the open seat: U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville.
Tuberville (R-Auburn) announced his campaign in May, ending several months of speculation about whether he would run for governor or seek reelection to the U.S. Senate in 2026. Yesterday, Tuberville picked up his first formal endorsement from a statewide elected official in U.S. Senate colleague Katie Britt (R-Montgomery).
Today, Ainsworth made it clear who has his support as well.
“Since his election to the Senate, the same winning record and strong leadership that Coach Tuberville brought to the football field has been on full display in the committee rooms, corridors, and chambers of the U.S. Capitol,” Ainsworth said.
“And just as President Trump has worked to change Washington and drain the D.C. Swamp, Coach Tuberville will bring needed reforms, a new perspective, and a no-quit, can-do spirit to the way Montgomery operates. Coach Tuberville has my full, committed, and enthusiastic endorsement, and I am confident that his election as governor will make our already great state even better.”
https://x.com/willainsworthAL/status/1935670871571513830
RELATED: ‘We’re going to be a battleship’: Tuberville says he will be very active as Governor of Alabama
Tuberville thanked Ainsworth for his endorsement and drew a powerful comparison between the two.
“I am honored to be endorsed by my friend and Alabama’s Lieutenant Governor, Will Ainsworth,” Sen. Tuberville said today.
“Will and I have a lot in common–we are both small business owners who ran for office to give back to our great state. I am glad to have the Lieutenant Governor on my team.”
The Alabama Republican Party primary will be held on May 19, 2026.
Due to term limits, virtually all statewide constitutional offices, including the governorship, is up for grabs this cycle. All 105 seats in the Alabama House and all 35 seats in the Alabama Senate are also on the ballot.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
According to a poll provided to 1819 News, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is leading the field of potential candidates in the upcoming U.S. Senate election.
The state’s top law enforcement officer leads the race in multiple scenarios, including against opponents such as former congressional candidate Caroleene Dobson, U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, and Auburn University men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl.
RELATED: Steve Marshall announces run for U.S. Senate in 2026- ‘puts Alabama first and delivers’
In a matchup specifically against Dobson and Moore, Marshall came out on top, garnering a significant 28% of respondents’ support.
- Steve Marshall: 28%
- Caroleene Dobson 13%
- Barry Moore 10%
- Undecided 48%
In a more crowded field that included Ainsworth, Dobson, and Pearl, the Attorney General again took the top spot.
- Steve Marshall: 21%
- Will Ainsworth: 13%
- Caroleene Dobson: 9%
- Bruce Pearl: 9%
- Undecided: 48%
In a race strictly between Marshall and Moore, Marshall leads the Congressman by 26%, receiving 37% of support from those polled.
- Steve Marshall: 37%
- Barry Moore: 11%
- Undecided: 52%
The survey from Remington Research Group was conducted from May 12 to May 13, of 505 likely Republican primary voters, with a margin of error of ±4%.
The party primary election for the open U.S. Senate seat will be held on May 19, 2026.
The only two candidates who have officially entered the race so far are Marshall and former U.S. Navy SEAL Jared Hudson of Birmingham.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
Incumbent U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville officially announced he will run for Governor of Alabama in the 2026 Republican Party primary.
Live from an Auburn staple, Byron’s Smokehouse, Tuberville announced his run in an exclusive television interview with “The Will Cain Show” on Fox News.
“I started my Senate run almost seven years ago, right in the same building,” Tuberville (R-Auburn) said.
“You can see my friends and family, my three month old new granddaughter, Rosie Grace, here cheering us on. But it’s great to be here. My wife and I, Suzanne, moved here over 25 years ago. As you know, I coached, and it was a great time. We made some great friends. It’s been a lot of fun. My two boys, Tucker and Troy, were educated here — it’s home.”
RELATED: Tuberville running for Governor of Alabama in 2026
“A few years ago, I decided to give back to this great country and fight. President Trump was a guy that really was behind me in doing the Senate race. He’s been behind me ever since, and today I will announce that I will be the future governor of the great state of Alabama.”
Tuberville, who was expected to coast into re-election to a second six-year term to the U.S. Senate, has instead decided to run for a different statewide office. After many months of private deliberations over a 2026 gubernatorial bid, Tuberville began telling donors in April he had made his decision and he was ready to ‘come home’ and seek the state’s highest constitutional office.
Tuberville said on Tuesday that he is prepared to finish out the remainder of his term in the Senate, which will coincide with his potential inauguration as governor in January 2027.
RELATED: Tuberville on ‘26 Governor’s race: ‘I’m a disruptor’ – says he wants Saban in politics too
On his newly-launched campaign website, Tuberville lays out an “Alabama First Agenda” anchored in fighting “woke ideology,” expanding school choice, and protecting Second Amendment rights. He promises to cut taxes, reduce government waste, and bring manufacturing jobs back to Alabama.
His campaign officially launched a slight campaign rebrand from his iconic 2020 logo and rolled out the news on official social media channels.
As governor, Tuberville also promises strong border enforcement and the deportation of illegal immigrants with criminal records, staunch opposition to taxpayer-funded abortion, and support for Alabama’s farmers, defense sector, and veterans.
Tuberville showcases an endorsement from President Trump and a promise to take his national agenda to Montgomery.
The path for victory is much more clear for Tuberville now that a long-awaited contender in the race, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, publicly announced last week that he will return full-time to his prosperous career in the private sector as his two children complete high school. Ainsworth was recognized as the only GOP challenger interested in and financed enough to meaningfully oppose Tuberville’s bid for governor. After first being elected as Lt. Governor in 2018, Ainsworth is term-limited from running again.
RELATED: Tuberville ‘would listen’ to role in administration, but Trump ‘needs a sledgehammer’ in the Senate
2026 is not the first time the former Auburn University head football coach has eyed the governorship.
In 2017, Tuberville filed official paperwork to run for the office following the resignation of former Governor Robert Bentley, and even invested $100,000 of his own money into exploring the bid. Tuberville ultimately dissolved that campaign, which he attributed to support consolidating behind Governor Kay Ivey, who announced she would seek election to the office after constitutionally stepping up in Bentley’s absence.
Tuberville finally took his big shot at statewide office in 2020 when he challenged then-incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Doug Jones. At that time, the only thing standing in his way was the former U.S. Attorney General and the previous holder of that office, Jeff Sessions in the 2020 Alabama Republican Party primary.
Tuberville easily routed both opponents by over 60% and has served as U.S. Senator since he was sworn into the office in January 2021.
Candidates for elected office in 2026 were able to officially begin fundraising last Monday, May 19 – which marks exactly one year until the primary election date, May 19, 2026.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Tuberville had not yet formed his principal campaign committee with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office. However, he has plenty of time to do so, as party qualifying does not end until January 2026.
As effectively the only contender, Tuberville is expected to have no trouble raising those funds for his gubernatorial bid. Additionally, as of the end of Q1 2025, Tuberville reported having $628,327.28 in his U.S. Senate campaign account, according to FEC records. That total can be legally transferred into his state campaign account. Alabama law explicitly allows a principal campaign committee to transfer funds to another principal campaign committee on behalf of the same person.
RELATED: Club for Growth endorses Tommy Tuberville for Governor of Alabama in 2026
Speculation over Sen. Tuberville’s ability to meet the more stringent seven-year residency requirement of the Alabama Constitution to hold the office of governor – rather than the U.S. Constitution’s one-day requirement to run for Senate – quickly dissipated across GOP circles in recent months. Legal challenges may emerge if Tuberville becomes the party’s nominee in 2026, however, such attempts would be further complicated and diminished by partisanship.
As “Coach” Tuberville prepares to fight for a new title in his professional career, he has remained consistent Tuesday with a commitment he impressed heavily over the years.
“I’m doing this to help this country and the great state of Alabama,” Tuberville said.
“I’m a football coach, I’m a leader, I’m a builder, I’m a recruiter. And we’re going to grow Alabama. We’re going to bring manufacturing to the state. We’re going to stop this illegal immigration. We’re going to make education better again, and we’re going to everything possible to make sure our kids, when they graduate in this great state — the Yellowhammer State, that they stay in this state and work.”
“We’re going to have workforce development. We got a lot of work to do nationally. I’m looking forward to that with President Trump. He’s got us on the right track, but in the meantime, I’ll be running every weekend, doing the things I need to do to make sure that I can get over the threshold and win this governor’s race, come back to Alabama, work with President Trump — and not stop — because he’s fully supportive of this, to keep making America great again and put Alabama first.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
Radio talk show host Dale Jackson and 256 Today CEO Mecca Musick, take you through Alabama’s biggest political stories.
Mecca Musick is the CEO of 256 Today. Sign up for the 256 Today newsletter here.
Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.
Yellowhammer News proudly presents the 2025 edition of the Power & Influence Top 50 list – the most candid and comprehensive annual index of who is moving the needle in Montgomery.
This year marks the thirteenth installment – and the stakes have never been higher.
With a monumental 2026 election cycle already taking shape, the men and women on this list are positioning their constituencies and clients for success in the next era.
RELATED: 2025 Power & Influence: Who’s Next?
RELATED: 2025 Power & Influence: 50-41 / 40-31 / 30-21 / 20-11
Taking into account conversations with insiders, as well as the most recent developments in politics and public policy, the list is meant to recognize the top individuals in government and politics who leverage their power and influence on behalf of those they represent.
We will host our annual ‘Power of Service’ event in Montgomery later today, Thursday, May 15th to coincide with the release of our final list of this year’s honorees.
Here they are. Welcome to the class of 2025.
10. Liz Filmore
Office of Governor Kay Ivey
Power doesn’t always involve the loudest voice or the boldest move. Sometimes, it’s about precision, poise, and the ability to remain unflinching in the face of chaos.
That’s the approach Liz Filmore has mastered as a longtime advisor to Kay Ivey, even before her reign as Governor of Alabama.
There’s a reason the governor’s office has become synonymous with her name. Her approach to leadership is as disciplined as it is demanding.
She sets a high bar for her team, but also fosters a sense of loyalty and trust, which ultimately yields good outcomes for the people of this state.
Liz Filmore has established herself as one of the best Chiefs of Staffs in Alabama history.
She runs a tight ship, staying above the fray and positioning Governor Ivey to continue being one of — if not the most — transformative governors in state history.
She was the first, and remains the only, female Chief of Staff in Alabama history.
She isn’t going anywhere. Expect her to be even higher on our list when the time comes.
9. Bob Geddie
Fine Geddie & Associates
Bob Geddie’s career began in the shadows of legends. He cut his teeth as a staffer for U.S. Senator John Sparkman before moving into Alabama state government as an Executive Assistant to Governor Fob James.
He later served as the Director of State Governmental Affairs for Alabama Power.
When Geddie co-founded Fine Geddie with Joe Fine in 1984, perhaps they knew then they weren’t starting a firm – they were founding an institution that would become the most powerful contract lobbying firm to this day.
Unlike some lobbyists who rely on a single specialty, Geddie’s expertise spans the full spectrum of the governmental, legislative and political landscape. His influence is inexhaustibly evident in the lower chamber.
Members regularly seek his counsel before taking a stand on contentious issues. Lawmakers have remarked that a bill isn’t really in play until Geddie has weighed in.
Others have tried to replicate his formula of institutional knowledge, skill and relationships, and none have come away with the power and influence he enjoys.
8. Joe Perkins
Matrix, LLC
Joe has made a career out of sticking up for the little guy. The nameless, the faceless, those without power.
He is so dangerous because of how many times he’s picked those fights and won.
While some have accused Joe of dirty tricks in the past, the brutal truth is that he’s just so good that it’s never a fair fight.
Today, that remains true as ever.
These days, we wonder if some degree of celebrity is warranted, and even welcomed, by Joe. The man with no name seems more above board about the wars he’s waging than ever before.
2026 might be a landmark year for Perkins. We expect him to fight his way out rather than the alternative.
7. Clay Ryan
Alabama Power
Clay Ryan is a trusted consigliere to Alabama’s most powerful business and political leaders, providing strategic counsel that drives agendas and resolves high-stakes challenges.
As the head of External Affairs and Government Relations at Alabama Power, Ryan sits at the nexus of the state’s business and policy ecosystems, shaping outcomes and influencing decisions that ripple across every major sector.
His unique blend of experience — as a private sector attorney, senior advisor to the governor, and chief political strategist for the University of Alabama System — makes him one of the most seasoned and connected figures in the state.
Over the past decade, Ryan has played a central role in nearly every major political development in Alabama, earning a reputation as both a steady guardian of the state’s goodwill and the sharp tip of the spear in its most consequential maneuvers.
6. Stephanie Bryan
Poarch Band of Creek Indians
Stephanie Bryan has worked to transform the Poarch Band of Creek Indians into one of the state’s most remarkable economic powerhouses.
Since becoming the first female Tribal Chair and CEO in 2014, PCI has transformed from a historically marginalized community into a dominant player with a footprint that extends from Atmore to the Caribbean and even into the competitive gaming markets of the Northeast.
Raised by a single mother in rural Alabama, Bryan’s rise is a testament to grit, determination, and a keen understanding of business, as well as Alabama.
With gambling legislation permanently on the horizon, Bryan will likely continue wielding influence over the 2026 legislative session, election cycle, the next quadrennium, and beyond.
5. Arthur Orr
Alabama Senate Ways & Means Education Committee Chairman
A mainstay of this list for as long as it has been published, Orr continues to surprise us.
Not only has he accounted for every cent of this year’s $12.1 billion education budget, he’s been on the front lines of some major lifts, advanced numerous bills of his own, and still had time to smirk through hundreds of meetings with those coming to him for requests.
Of course, Orr doesn’t always get everything he wants – but he does get most of it.
In the grand scheme of things, it seems as if Orr has hit the apex of his career: He’s a lawyer, has a rock-solid career, his path to re-election looks clear next year, and he’s accumulated more influence in Montgomery than most people would know what to do with.
It’s hard to say if Orr would give it up for anything.
Who’s to say?
4. Will Ainsworth
Lt. Governor of Alabama
Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth has discipline. He has been highly praised on this list for over half a decade, and today is no different – as Ainsworth exerts his influence in one of the most targeted fashions of any elected official we index.
All big bills that receive passage from the Alabama Senate have Ainsworth’s fingerprints on them.
Outside the legislative session, Ainsworth has some thinking to do — but we don’t expect he’ll head to Buck’s Pocket just yet.
He’s never been someone you’d bet the under on.
The relationships and goodwill he has accumulated throughout his tenure as an elected official and businessman across the state are worth more weight than gold.
Ainsworth is responsible for some of the biggest legislative and political upsets of the modern era, which have been leveraged to the benefit of Alabamians.
3. Garlan Gudger
Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore
Taking over as Pro Tem of the Alabama Senate exactly halfway through the quadrennium is no small feat for any man. However, for Gudger, who was in critical condition after a boating accident last summer on Smith Lake that nearly took his life, it’s an achievement that defies the odds.
The story of Gudger’s victory in the caucus vote is indicative of the Senate: He won out through direct, face-to-face negotiations with his colleagues.
He pressed harder, drove further, and didn’t take no for an answer. This savvy is what we expect of Gudger’s future running the chamber.
Whether he’s for or against you on an issue, expect him to be deliberative, engaged, and interested in compromise. But once his mind is made up, it’s over.
Gudger’s high tolerance for the adrenaline of the political and legislative process will make him a mainstay of the list’s top ten year after year if he so chooses.
2. Nathaniel Ledbetter
Alabama Speaker of the House
Speaker Ledbetter has every reason to feel good about this year’s legislative session heading into the 2026 election cycle.
The gentleman from Rainsville has been a shepherd to the current flock of House lawmakers because he knows he’s herding a group of lions. He fights off battles on their behalf and has the backs of every single member of the body.
In fact, he even gives good counsel on how to maneuver those battles best. That takes confidence.
That sort of reciprocal trust is right on brand for the Speaker, who we believe is now more well-liked exiting this year’s session than any year prior.
He dealt deftly with caucus issues and kept his members together no matter how hard the boat rocked.
Ledbetter is a loyal man of the Alabama House. When attacked as a body from the outside, he has always proven ready to come correct with the facts and down-home, country-cooked wisdom.
Maybe not as lyrical as his good friend Randy Owen, Ledbetter knows how to orchestrate an ensemble to near perfection.
1. Kay Ivey
Governor of Alabama
Governor Ivey is facing something she never expected as a girl growing up in rural Camden, as Auburn University’s first female SGA vice president, or even as State Treasurer or Lieutenant Governor:
The final year of an eight-year term as the Governor of Alabama.
Entering 2026, knowing she will deliver her final State of the State address and Alabama voters will decide who will become her successor, Ivey also knows she has taken up – and accomplished – some of the most significant legislative lifts of any governor in the 21st century.
She leads our list as the most powerful force currently in Alabama politics for another consecutive year.
On day one of her first and unexpected term, Ivey said, “Today is both a dark day in Alabama, yet also it’s one of opportunity.” She vowed to steady the ship of state. In the time since, Governor Ivey delivered on that promise.
She went on to win the election to two full terms in commanding fashion. She has turned those electoral mandates into concrete achievements.
As we wrote last year, Ivey is not only Alabama’s education governor, Alabama’s infrastructure governor, Alabama’s manufacturing governor, and Alabama’s workforce governor. She shored up virtually all those accolades this year and earned a few new ones.
Governor Ivey has become by far the most popular Governor of Alabama of the 21st century.
Simply put, Kay Ivey speaks for Alabama, and long after her tenure, Alabama will continue to reflect the achievements of the state she helped build for the modern era.
Republican voters in Alabama’s House District 11 cast their ballots Tuesday in a special primary election to effectively select their next State Representative.
The winner was Heath Allbright, a Cullman County businessman, farmer and former school board member. He defeated former U.S. Army Colonel Don Fallin after an oversaturated and negative campaign fight.
With nearly all boxes reporting on Tuesday night, Allbright was ahead with an estimated, unofficial total of 54.76% compared to Fallin’s 45.24%.
While Fallin over-performed in the district’s eleven Cullman County boxes, Allbright captured enough of the Blount County vote and held enough ground in Cullman County to emerge as the decisive winner.
“I am deeply honored by the trust voters in District 11 have placed in me,” Allbright said after victory.
“I’m ready to fight for our families, schools, and businesses, ensuring our community thrives while preserving the values that make Blount and Cullman Counties home.”
A lifelong resident of Holly Pond and owner of Brighton Forestry Services, Allbright campaigned on a platform of reducing taxes, supporting small businesses, and protecting rural Alabama’s values.
The seat became vacant following the resignation of State Rep. Randall Shedd, who stepped down in February to serve as director of constituent affairs for Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman).
RELATED: State Rep. Randall Shedd to resign House seat to work for Senate Pro Tem
HD11 encompasses parts of Cullman and Blount counties, including the Snead, Oneonta, Hanceville, and Blountsville communities.
Allbright will face the Democratic nominee in the special general election on August 26, 2025. The district is considered a Republican stronghold. Shedd, who first won the seat in a 2013 special election, faced no general election opposition in subsequent races.
Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, who endorsed Allbright almost immediately after his campaign launch, issued his congratulations on Tuesday night after the ballots were counted.
https://x.com/willainsworthAL/status/1922468249846857790
Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, John Wahl, said he is committed to elect conservative, effective leaders.
“Congratulations to Heath Allbright on winning the Republican nomination for House District 11. We’re grateful to both candidates for stepping forward to serve, and to the voters who participated in this important election,” Wahl said.
“With so much at stake in our state, it’s critical that we continue to elect leaders who will stand for conservative values and fight for the people of Alabama. I look forward to supporting Heath Allbright as we head toward the general election in August.”
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
7. A proposed 16-team College Football Playoff with 4 guaranteed spots for the SEC is gaining support. Even without these guarantees, the SEC and Big Ten will absolutely benefit from it.
6. A disgusting mob actually rallied against motherhood on Mother’s Day.
5. Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency has now cut $7.8 million in federal DEI and STEM grants from Alabama universities.
4. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) claims President Donald Trump’s firing of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden an attempt to “whitewash” American history; this is why Democrats are picked to lose in 2026.
3. U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville) says 4.700 new jobs would follow the Space Command HQ to Alabama and, fittingly, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center will oversee a new rocket being built at the Alabama-Tennessee line
2. Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth says he will NOT run for U.S. Senate in 2026, he says “pretty much.”
1. Stock market booms, including Big Pharma stocks, after President Donald Trump’s drug pricing executive order, and the market correction is over after a U.S.-China trade deal is tentatively reached.
Listen here:
Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.
7. Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban will co-chair President Donald Trump’s Presidential Commission studying college football, while Auburn begs for the “help of the federal government in college sports.”
6. Alireza Doroudi, a University of Alabama student, has requested voluntary deportation to Iran, saying, after his visa was revoked, “They don’t want me here.”
5. The former Birmingham Water Works Board is trying to circumvent the law that basically disbanded it by selling to the city of Birmingham; they will lose.
4. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is once again playing his maxxed–out race card, this time over an Alabama bill that regulates THC products, and this is why no one takes him seriously.
3. The American Pope, Pope Leo XIV, is basically a “Never Trump” Republican; Alabama politicians seem hopeful.
2. Sure, sure. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) will decide soon about running for governor and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth is hinting that he won’t run for U.S. Senate.
1. President Donald Trump’s first trade deal is announced. In exchange for Trump lowering some tariffs, the United Kingdom is to buy more American beef, ethanol, and airplanes while streamlining its customs process for goods from the United States.
Listen here:
Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) said he still hasn’t decided whether to run for governor or run for another term in the Senate.
Yellowhammer News confirmed last month that Tuberville told a group of donors at a private event on that his mind is officially made up and that he will run for governor.
Despite the reports, Tuberville says publicly that he’s still weighing his options.
“You know what I want to do is what’s best for the people of Alabama, whether it’s a senator or governor,” Tuberville said Thursday on WVNN. “Now, there’s so much going on up here right now, and there’s really not a reason, other than a couple reasons I can think of, to make a decision one way or the other, because there’s not enough time in the day.”
Tuberville said he’s going to need to make a decision soon because he believes it could affect other political leaders’ futures.
“But I want to do what’s best for the people Alabama, but I will make a decision here soon, for this reason: There’s people waiting for me to make this decision,” he explained. “And if I stay, people need to get in the governor’s race. If I go the governor race, people need to get in this race. And we’ll need a very good senator up here that really understands the situation going on, that can make strong conservative decisions. So, you know, it’s not too far away…so we’ll keep, as you said, praying about it.”
Most likely the politician Tuberville is thinking about is Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who is expected to run for governor, but will have a much harder time winning a race against the senator.
While some believe Ainsworth might decide to run for Senate instead, the lieutenant governor said Thursday that he’s never really wanted to be a Senator.
“I really don’t have that much of an interest in running for the Senate,” Ainsworth said on FM Talk 106.5. “I think the only thing that I would consider running for is governor.”
“Obviously, there’s some big names out there, but, hey, I’ve been the underdog before, and if that happens again, that would be a lot of fun,” he added. “And that’s always kind of where I thought I could help the state the best is as governor, but we’ll see what happens.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
7. A war between nuclear powers India and Pakistan is bad for everyone. A 2019 study that suggested a nuclear war could come in 2025 stated the initial death toll would be 125 million with billions dead across the globe.
6. Calls for the assignment of Space Command headquarters to Alabama continue with U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) saying, “time to end politics and follow the facts.”
5. Birmingham Water Works Board attempts to wiggle out of their latest mess; Mayor Randall Woodfin calls the new legislation racially motivated because that is what he does.
4. A federal judge demands the Trump administration restart the refugee program and immediately accept 12,000 refugees into the country; the administration is challenging the order and further setting up a Supreme Court fight.
3. We are now watching the media’s second round of stories about the SUV line at the Mazda-Toyota plant in Huntsville shifting where the vehicles go because of tariffs. The stories note the SUVs that would have gone to Canada are staying in the U.S. with the plant’s operation unaffected, despite the disingenuous headlines.
2. Lt. Gov. Ainsworth slams the failure of the Legislature to pass a religious instruction bill. But cell phones are now banned in Alabama schools after numerous states have done so; the move has been asked for by teachers for years because of the distractions and nonsense the phones cause.
1. As Trump touts a U.S.-U.K. deal, U.S. and Chinese officials prepare to meet to discuss trade relations while China faces economic trouble, including weak consumer demand and low interest rates, as the ongoing trade dispute continues.
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Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.
7. Kilmar Abrego-Garcia continues to see his true story told while Democrats look for ways to recast the narrative.
6. A Fairhope woman is crashing out online because her illegal immigrant/killer/husband, Huy Quoc Phan, has been arrested.
5. The Alabama State Senate is considering a bill to regulate hemp product sales after attempts to legalize more hemp failed.
4. It’s not just indoctrination about sex that is upsetting parents, a Huntsville library book for juveniles sparked debate over its racial teachings.
3. President Donald Trump proposed billions in NASA budget cuts, including a Huntsville rocket program
2. Looks like the poll on Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth’s Facebook page (and a brilliant radio interview) has him open to running for U.S. Senate.
1. After a huge jobs report, President Donald Trump spent the weekend infuriating his enemies over the Pope, Sith lords, Greenland, a military parade, reopening Alcatraz, due process for illegals, the war on drug cartels, immigration, and more.
Listen here:
Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.
Radio talk show host Dale Jackson and 256 Today CEO Mecca Musick, take you through Alabama’s biggest political stories.
Mecca Musick is the CEO of 256 Today. Sign up for the 256 Today newsletter here.
Dale Jackson is a thought leader for Yellowhammer News and hosts a talk show from 5-9 a.m. weekdays on WVNN.
7. ALGOP Chairman John Wahl is pushing success sequence legislation to promote marriage and education as pathways out of poverty with a no-brainer strategy of graduating high school, getting a job, and not having kids until marriage.
6. Alabama truckers back a Trump administration order requiring English proficiency tests for commercial drivers, citing safety concerns.
5. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested 1,000 undocumented workers at Baldwin County construction sites as enforcement efforts increase
4. The Alabama House Economic Development and Tourism Committee approved legislation allowing historical horse racing in Greene County, reversing a prior rejection.
3. Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth conducted an informal Facebook poll to gauge support for a 2026 run for governor or U.S. Senate; governor seems to be winning out but that path may be closing with a Senate door opening.
2. According to tax records, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) has a homestead exemption on an Alabama home, meaning suggestions he lives in Florida are disingenuous, at best, but they will continue.while the lieutenant governor polls for a 2026 race.
1. Before a speech commemorating his first 100 days, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in Michigan scaling back tariffs on automakers’ imported parts and vehicles with a equation that factors in all tariffs paid on manufacturing. Meanwhile, the media want you to believe he is “dangerous dictator” and it is working