Senator Tommy Tuberville has won the Republican primary for governor of Alabama, NBC News projects — putting the former college football coach and sitting U.S. Senator on a clear path to the Governor’s Mansion in Montgomery this fall.
A Dominant Primary Victory
Tuberville cruised to victory in the May 19 Republican primary, steamrolling his opponents with commanding support. Pre-election polling by Cygnal had placed him at 65% support, far ahead of his nearest rival Ken McFeeters at just 7%, and political analyst firm Lines.com had assigned him a 99.6% win probability heading into primary day. The third candidate in the field, Will Santivasci, barely registered in any polling.
The result was widely anticipated. Alabama Republican primary voters had shown overwhelming enthusiasm for Tuberville throughout the race, with 69% of likely GOP voters saying the state was headed in the right direction — and backing “Coach” as the man to keep it there.
From the Gridiron to the Senate — and Now the Governor’s Race
Tuberville’s political journey is unlike most. Born in Camden, Arkansas, he built a legendary career coaching college football, most notably leading Auburn University before stints at the University of Mississippi, Texas Tech, and the University of Cincinnati. His name recognition and folksy appeal translated seamlessly into Alabama politics when he first ran for U.S. Senate in 2020, defeating Democratic incumbent Doug Jones by roughly 20 points.
He was sworn into the Senate in January 2021, and over the course of his term built a voting record closely aligned with President Donald Trump. That loyalty paid dividends when Trump endorsed him — first for Senate in 2020, and again for this gubernatorial bid.
“I was proud to endorse ‘Coach’ when he ran for the Senate in 2020, and am honored to do so again. Tommy Tuberville has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of the Great State of Alabama,” Trump posted on social media ahead of the primary.
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter also endorsed Tuberville, adding significant institutional Republican credibility to a campaign that, by most measures, never needed it.
What’s at Stake: Replacing Kay Ivey
The governor’s race matters because Republican Gov. Kay Ivey is term-limited and ineligible to seek re-election. Ivey, who has governed since 2017, leaves behind a reliably red state — one that Trump carried by 30 points in 2024. Alabama has not elected a Democrat as governor since 1998, making the general election in November a steep climb for any Democratic candidate.
Tuberville is now the heavy favorite to succeed Ivey and become Alabama’s next governor when voters go to the polls on November 3.
A Rematch with Doug Jones
The general election is shaping up to be a rematch of the 2020 Senate race. Former Sen. Doug Jones — who famously won a stunning 2017 special election against Roy Moore before losing to Tuberville — has won the Democratic primary for governor, NBC News projects.
Cook Political Report rates the Alabama governor’s race as Solidly Republican but describes Jones as “quite possibly the only Alabama Democrat with a prayer of competing statewide.” Early general election polling by Cygnal shows Tuberville leading Jones by 19 points — a sizable margin, though notably about half the 38-point gap by which Kay Ivey won her 2022 re-election.
Still, the math remains daunting for Jones. In their 2020 Senate matchup, Tuberville won by approximately 20 points, and swing voters in Alabama are currently breaking for Tuberville at a 2-to-1 ratio in polling.
The Senate Seat Tuberville Leaves Behind
Tuberville’s jump from Washington to Montgomery has triggered a separate scramble within the Alabama Republican Party. Trump has already endorsed Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL) to fill Tuberville’s safe red Senate seat — a race that will run concurrently with the governor’s contest this fall.
A Minor Controversy: The Residency Question
The primary wasn’t entirely without drama. Opponent Ken McFeeters raised a legal challenge, accusing Tuberville of failing to meet Alabama’s seven-year residency requirement for governor. Tuberville’s campaign maintained he meets the requirement in full, and the Alabama Republican Party dismissed the challenge, clearing the way for his name to remain on the ballot.
Looking Ahead
With the Republican primary behind him and Trump’s endorsement firmly in hand, Tommy Tuberville heads into the general election as the undisputed frontrunner. Alabama’s deep-red political landscape, combined with his statewide name recognition and institutional support, makes him the clear favorite to become the state’s next governor.
The general election is set for November 3, when Alabama voters will decide whether “Coach Tuberville” makes the final transition from the football sidelines and the halls of the U.S. Senate to the Governor’s Mansion.
Will Coach Tuberville’s playbook be enough to win the governorship — or will Doug Jones pull off another stunning Alabama upset? Drop your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for the latest updates as the race heats up.