Doug Jones Files to Run for Alabama Governor, Setting Up Potential Rematch with Tuberville

Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones has officially filed paperwork to run for Governor of Alabama, confirming widespread speculation and setting the stage for the 2026 gubernatorial election. Jones announced his candidacy on social media, stating, "So I’ve made it official folks: I’ve filed the paperwork to run for Governor of Alabama. It’s time to remind this state of who we are and what we can accomplish together." This move positions the Democrat for a potential rematch with current U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, who previously announced his own bid for the state's top office.

Jones, a Democrat, served in the U.S. Senate from 2018 to 2021 after a special election victory against Republican Roy Moore. He lost his re-election bid in 2020 to Tuberville by a significant margin. Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, is term-limited and cannot seek re-election, leaving an open seat for the 2026 race.

The announcement was accompanied by a video where Jones emphasized the need for a governor who "lives here, who works here, who listens to the people of this state, who understands the people of this state." He also made a veiled reference to Tuberville, suggesting Alabamians seek a leader who "treats this state with grace and dignity and not just like a rest stop on the way to the Florida beach," echoing past questions about Tuberville's residency. Tuberville's campaign, through spokeswoman Mallory Jaspers, responded on social media, stating, "Last time Doug Jones ran against Coach Tuberville, it didn’t go well for Doug."

Jones's entry into the race presents a significant challenge for Democrats in the solidly Republican state. He was the last Democrat to win statewide office in Alabama, and Republicans have held the governor's office for over two decades. Despite the uphill battle, Jones, known for his past as a federal prosecutor who successfully reopened and prosecuted two Ku Klux Klansmen for the 1963 Birmingham church bombing, aims to rally support with a message of unity and progress for Alabama.