Democrat Enters Red State Governor’s Race
Former Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) announced Monday that he is officially running for governor, launching a campaign that immediately sets up a potential rematch with Republican favorite and Trump ally Tommy Tuberville.
Jones released a video on X claiming that Alabama “deserves a governor who will fight for them,” promising a statewide listening tour and a post-Thanksgiving campaign kickoff. But for many Alabama voters—especially those who remember his brief and controversial time in the U.S. Senate—Jones represents the same Democrat agenda that has pushed the country in the wrong direction under Washington’s liberal leadership.
Jones Enters Race as Democrats Hope to Make Inroads in Deep-Red Alabama
Jones is the highest-profile Democrat willing to jump into the governor’s race, giving national Democrats a candidate they can fundraise around. He previously served as a U.S. attorney and gained attention for high-profile civil rights prosecutions decades ago, which Democrats continue to highlight on the campaign trail.
However, Alabama voters delivered a clear verdict on Jones’s record in 2020 when he lost his Senate seat to Tommy Tuberville by nearly 20 points—one of the most decisive wins for conservatives that year.
Tommy Tuberville’s Popularity and Trump Support Loom Large
Tuberville, a strong supporter of President Trump’s America-First agenda, announced in May that he would not seek another Senate term and would instead run for governor. With Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey term-limited, Tuberville enters the race with major advantages: name recognition, conservative grassroots support, and a record aligned with the values of Alabama’s 50+ voters.
Jones’s announcement sets up what is expected to be another lopsided contest between the two men—though this time at the state level.
Political Ratings Give Republicans a Strong Edge
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report labels the Alabama governor’s race as “Solid Republican,” reflecting the state’s long-standing conservative majority. For Alabama voters focused on strong leadership, law and order, economic stability, and unwavering support for President Trump, that rating is no surprise.
With Democrats pouring resources into red states and attempting to flip long-trusted seats, many conservatives see the race as another test of whether Alabama will stay firmly on the path of traditional values and responsible leadership.
