2026 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election
The2026 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the nextlieutenant governor of Alabama . The primary election will be held on May 19, 2026. IncumbentWill Ainsworth is term-limited and ineligible to seek a third full consecutive term.
Dean Odle, pastor and candidate for governor in2022 [ 7] Nicole Wadsworth's campaign was the first to attract media attention following a request that was sent out to news organizations, in which her campaign requested that she be called "Dr. Nicole Wadsworth". TheAP Stylebook , which many organizations use to dictate how to write news articles, says that only medical doctors should be referred to as such.[ 11] [ 12] PhD from theUniversity of Alabama , but instead from the North Central Theological Seminary.[ 13] [ 14] accredited by any organizations recognized by theCouncil for Higher Education Accreditation .[ 15] [ 16] 1819 News take down all stories relating to her academic credentials.[ 17]
Wes Allen has campaigned on his record as Secretary of State, especially his efforts to purgevoter rolls .[ 18] A. J. McCarron 's entry into the race, Allen stated that "I have a solid record."[ 19]
McCarron made his first campaign appearance in November, at an Eastern Shore Republican Women's luncheon. He did not make public comments, and his campaign representative stated that McCarron would be announcing his campaign initiatives soon. Allen was the only other candidate who attended the luncheon.[ 20] Birmingham Stallions .[ 21]
AL.com John Wahl , the chairman of theAlabama Republican Party , in April 2025 afterSteve Flowers mentioned Wahl as a potential candidate in 2026.[ 22] 1819 News [ 23] 256 Today reported that he was still considering it as of November 2025.[ 24] Donald Trump endorsed Wahl as a possible candidate for lieutenant governor through aTruth Social post on January 22, 2026, shortly before candidate qualifying closed the next day.[ 25] [ 26]
Wes Allen
State legislators Russell Bedsole ,state representative from the 49th district[ 27] Bryan Brinyark , state representative from the 16th district[ 27] Chip Brown , state representative from the 105th district[ 27] Mack Butler , state representative from the 28th district[ 27] Jim Carns , state representative from the 48th district[ 27] Brock Colvin , state representative from the 26th district[ 27] Danny Crawford , state representative from the 5th district[ 27] Brett Easterbrook , state representative from the 65th district[ 27] David Faulkner , state representative from the 46th district[ 27] Matthew Hammett , state representative from the 92nd district[ 27] Jim Hill , state representative from the 50th district[ 27] Reed Ingram , state representative from the 75th district[ 27] Jamie Kiel , state representative from the 18th district[ 27] Mike Kirkland , state representative from the 23rd district[ 27] Bill Lamb , state representative from the 62nd district[ 27] Paul Lee , state representative from the 86th district[ 27] Craig Lipscomb , state representative from the 30th district[ 27] James Lomax , state representative from the 20th district[ 27] Rhett Marques , state representative from the 91st district[ 27] Arnold Mooney , state representative from the 43rd district[ 27] Parker Moore , state representative from the 4th district[ 27] Ed Oliver , state representative from the 81st district[ 27] Marcus Paramore , state representative from the 89th district[ 27] Rick Rehm , state representative from the 85th district[ 27] Phillip Rigsby , state representative from the 25th district[ 27] Chad Robertson , state representative from the 40th district[ 27] Jeana Ross , state representative from the 27th district[ 27] Ginny Shaver , state representative from the 39th district[ 27] Mike Shaw , state representative from the 47th district[ 27] Matt Simpson , state representative from the 96th district[ 27] Ivan Smith , state representative from the 42nd district[ 27] Scott Stadthagen , majority leader of theAlabama House of Representatives (2023–present) from the 9th district (2019–present)[ 27] Shane Stringer , state representative from the 102nd district[ 27] Troy Stubbs , state representative from the 31st district[ 27] Allen Treadaway , state representative from the 51st district[ 27] Kerry Underwood , state representative from the 3rd district[ 27] Ritchie Whorton , state representative from the 22nd district[ 27] Randy Wood , state representative from the 36th district[ 27] Ernie Yarbrough , state representative from the 7th district[ 27] Individuals Organizations John Wahl
Executive branch officials Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2026 Candidate Raised Other receipts Spent Cash on hand Wes Allen (R) $1,048,925 $260,000 $141,998 $1,166,926 Patrick Bishop (R) $7,107 $2,726 $7,337 $2,412 Rick Pate (R) $447,182 $250,000 $133,502 $563,679 Nicole Wadsworth (R) $146,675 $222,000 $58,847 $309,827 John Wahl (R) $1,151,535 $60,000 $3,073 $1,208,461 Source: Alabama FCPA[ 36]
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Wes A.J. Rick Nicole John Undecided The Alabama Poll[ 37] February 1–4, 2026 500 (LV) ± 4.4% 23% — N/a 6% 6% 6% 59% December 17, 2025 McCarron withdraws from the race The Alabama Poll[ 38] December 15, 2025 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 18% 31% 8% 2% — N/a 41% The Alabama Poll[ 39] August 24–26, 2025 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 28% — N/a 12% — N/a — N/a 61%
Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s) Sample[ a] Margin Wes A.J. John Rick Nicole Other Undecided Quantus Insights (R)[ 40] October 13–14, 2025 1,050 (RV) ± 3.2% 26% 14% 10% 9% 2% 4% 36%
Phillip Ensler
U.S. senators State representatives Campaign finance reports as of January 31, 2026 Candidate Raised Other receipts Spent Cash on hand Phillip Ensler (D) $109,463 $0 $25,559 $83,903 Darryl Perryman (D) $0 $0 $0 $0 Source: Alabama FCPA[ 36]
Ensler announced his run for lieutenant governor in December 2025. He described Doug Jones' entry into the2026 Alabama gubernatorial election as an inspiration for his decision.[ 44] [ 45]
^a b Key: ^ Cason, Mike (February 18, 2025)."Alabama's top election official running for lieutenant governor in 2026" .AL.com . RetrievedFebruary 18, 2025 . ^ Moseley, Brandon (June 1, 2025)."Patrick Bishop announces run for Lieutenant Governor" .The Alabama Gazette . RetrievedJune 6, 2025 . ^ Vincent, JJ (May 27, 2025)."Retired Army Major announces bid for Lieutenant Governor" .FOX 54 . RetrievedJune 23, 2025 .Others in the race include: ... Community Advocate George Childress ^ Taylor, Caleb (May 29, 2025)."Ag commissioner Rick Pate running for lieutenant governor in 2026" .1819 News . RetrievedMay 29, 2025 . ^a b Cason, Mike (January 23, 2026)."Trump endorsed Alabama GOP chairman enters lieutenant governor's race just before deadline" .AL.com . RetrievedJanuary 23, 2026 . ^ Sack, Wendy (May 22, 2025)."Dr. Nicole Wadsworth kicks off Alabama lieutenant governor campaign" .The Cullman Tribune . RetrievedMay 22, 2025 . ^ "ALGOP clears Wahl, Tuberville, Gudger, Odle removed as ballot challenges narrowed" .Alabama Political Reporter . February 2, 2026. RetrievedFebruary 2, 2026 .^ Fay, Ryan (December 17, 2025)."Former University of Alabama star AJ McCarron ends bid for lieutenant governor" .WHNT News 19 . RetrievedDecember 17, 2025 . ^ Taylor, Daniel (January 16, 2026)."Mo Brooks officially not running for office in 2026 — 'Family time is far more enjoyable' .1819 News . RetrievedJanuary 16, 2026 . ^ Baker, Trent." .1819 News . RetrievedMay 29, 2025 . ^ Cason, Mike (June 4, 2025)."Candidate for one of Alabama's top offices asks to be called doctor" .AL.com . RetrievedJune 25, 2025 . ^ Monger, Craig."Call her 'doctor': Lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Nicole Wadsworth's campaign demands use of academic 'Dr.' title in all reporting" .1819 News . RetrievedJune 25, 2025 . ^ Gann, Heather (June 11, 2025)."Political candidate who wanted to be called doctor admits she has no PhD from University of Alabama" .AL.com . RetrievedJune 25, 2025 . ^ Everett, Grayson (June 11, 2025)." .Yellowhammer News . RetrievedJune 25, 2025 . ^ Phillips, Chance (June 12, 2025)."Wadsworth's campaign grossly misrepresented her academic credentials" .Alabama Political Reporter . RetrievedJune 25, 2025 . ^ Everett, Grayson (June 12, 2025)."Nicole Wadsworth's entire campaign staff quits, citing 'persistent misinformation' .Yellowhammer News . RetrievedJune 25, 2025 . ^ Monger, Craig."Lawyers for lieutenant governor hopeful Nicole Wadsworth request story calling candidate's academic credentials into question 'be removed' from 1819 News" .1819 News . RetrievedJune 25, 2025 . ^ Sharp, John (July 8, 2025)."Running for Lt. Governor, Wes Allen leans hard on Secretary of State record" .AL.com . RetrievedJuly 8, 2025 . ^ Everett, Grayson (October 23, 2025)."Wes Allen responds to AJ McCarron entering 2026 Lt. Governor's race: 'I have a solid record' .Yellowhammer News . RetrievedOctober 24, 2025 . ^ Sharp, John (November 13, 2025)."Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has little to say in early campaign appearance" .AL.com . RetrievedNovember 14, 2025 . ^ Inabinett, Mark (December 18, 2025)."AJ McCarron returning to the United Football League" .AL.com . RetrievedDecember 18, 2025 . ^ Cason, Mike (April 1, 2025)."Who will be Alabama's next lieutenant governor? Why it might be the 'best race on the ballot' in 2026" .AL.com . RetrievedJanuary 22, 2026 . ^ Taylor, Caleb (May 30, 2025)."ALGOP chair John Wahl 'strongly considering' running for lieutenant governor in 2026" .1819 News . RetrievedJanuary 22, 2026 . ^ Alloway, A.B. (November 21, 2025)."Jones to make it official? Another candidate for Lt. Gov.? Winter is coming; and more in this week's OTR" .256 Today . RetrievedJanuary 22, 2026 . ^a b Taylor, Caleb (January 22, 2026)."Trump endorses ALGOP chair Wahl as possible candidate for lieutenant governor" .1819 News . RetrievedJanuary 22, 2026 . ^ Sharp, John (February 4, 2026)."Trump-backed John Wahl races to fundraising lead in Alabama lieutenant governor race" .AL.com . RetrievedFebruary 4, 2026 . ^a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am Everett, Grayson."Majority of Alabama House Republicans endorse Wes Allen for Lt. Governor in 2026" .Yellowhammer News . RetrievedJune 10, 2025 . ^ "Brilyn Hollyhand joins Wes Allen's lieutenant governor campaign" .Alabama Political Reporter . June 27, 2025. RetrievedDecember 6, 2025 .^ Zeigler, Jim (October 1, 2025)."ALFA makes endorsements in 2026 Alabama statewide races" .Yellowhammer News . RetrievedOctober 1, 2025 . ^ Blevins, Sherri (November 17, 2025)."Alabama Forestry Association endorses Wes Allen for lieutenant governor" .Yellowhammer News . RetrievedNovember 17, 2025 . ^ Blevins, Sherri (September 25, 2025)."ABC of Alabama endorses Wes Allen for Lieutenant Governor" .Yellowhammer News . RetrievedSeptember 25, 2025 . ^ Chitwood, Bill (January 9, 2026)."BCA ProgressPAC Backs Allen for Alabama Lt. Governor" .ALPolitics.com . RetrievedJanuary 9, 2026 . ^ Taylor, Caleb (February 3, 2026)."Electric Cooperatives of Alabama endorse Wes Allen for lieutenant governor" .1819 News . RetrievedFebruary 3, 2026 . ^ "Manufacture Alabama endorses Secretary of State Wes Allen in lieutenant governor race" .Yellowhammer News . January 23, 2026. RetrievedJanuary 23, 2026 .^ "Associated General Contractors PAC endorses Rick Pate for lieutenant governor" .Alabama Political Reporter . June 10, 2025. RetrievedAugust 7, 2025 .^a b "Political Race Search" .Alabama FCPA . RetrievedFebruary 4, 2026 .^ Sell, Mary (February 6, 2026)."Poll: Despite Trump endorsements, Marshall, Allen still lead races" .Alabama Daily News . RetrievedFebruary 6, 2026 . ^ Poor, Jeff (January 6, 2026)."Alabama Poll: Undecideds outpace field in statewide GOP primary races" .1819 News . RetrievedJanuary 6, 2026 . ^ Chitwood, Bill (September 15, 2025)."Trump Holds Commanding Lead in First Alabama Poll; Marshall Tops Early Senate Field" .AL Politics . RetrievedSeptember 16, 2025 . ^ Corley, Jason (October 16, 2025)."Alabama Republican Primary Survey" .Quantus Insights . RetrievedOctober 16, 2025 . ^ Cason, Mike (December 18, 2025)."Outgoing Democrat who beat GOP lawmaker running for one of Alabama's top offices" .AL.com . RetrievedDecember 18, 2025 . ^ Gann, Heather (February 5, 2026)."Alabama 2026 election: Everyone running for lieutenant governor" .AL.com . RetrievedFebruary 8, 2026 . ^a b Stacy, Todd (December 18, 2025)."Ensler to announce run for lieutenant governor" .Alabama Daily News . RetrievedDecember 18, 2025 . ^ Phillips, Chance (December 19, 2025)."Rep. Phillip Ensler becomes first Democratic candidate in lieutenant governor race" .Alabama Political Reporter . RetrievedFebruary 6, 2026 . ^ Gann, Heather (February 5, 2026)."Alabama 2026 election: Everyone running for lieutenant governor" .AL.com . RetrievedFebruary 6, 2026 . Official campaign websites
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