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Tommy Tuberville wins Alabama GOP governor nomination

By Thomson Reuters May 20, 2026 | 10:18 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

–Field ​Level Media