Sen. Tommy Tuberville wins Alabama GOP gubernatorial primary, will face Doug Jones in 2020 rematch

May 19, 2026

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a staunch Donald Trump ally, won Alabama's GOP gubernatorial primary on May 19, 2026, defeating two rivals with over 85% of the vote. He will face former Democratic Sen. Doug Jones in the November general election, a rematch of their 2020 Senate race. Tuberville is the favorite in the solidly red state. His campaign rhetoric focuses on fighting "socialism," while Jones is campaigning on Medicaid expansion and raising the minimum wage.

Alabama GOP gubernatorial primary results

▪In the GOP primary, Tuberville defeated rivals Ken McFeeters, an insurance agency owner, and Will Santivasci, a small business owner.
▪Sen. Tommy Tuberville won the Republican nomination for Alabama governor on May 19, 2026.
▪Ken McFeeters had filed an unsuccessful legal challenge claiming Tuberville did not meet the state's seven-year residency requirement to run for governor.
▪Unofficial results showed Tuberville with 85.1% of the vote (209,880 votes), while McFeeters received 9.8% and Santivasci received 12,681 votes.

Tuberville-Jones 2026 general election matchup

▪Tuberville is considered the favorite in the general election, as Alabama is a solidly Republican state that Donald Trump won by 30 points in 2024.
▪The winner of the general election will succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Kay Ivey.
▪Former Sen. Doug Jones won the Democratic gubernatorial primary, setting up a general election against Tommy Tuberville.
▪The 2026 gubernatorial race is a rematch of the 2020 U.S. Senate election, in which Tuberville defeated the incumbent Jones.

Tuberville campaign rhetoric

▪Tuberville stated he is running against "socialism and communism" and an "ideology that is so bad," rather than against Doug Jones directly.
▪The Republican Governors Association described Tuberville as an "America First fighter who can deliver real results."
▪Donald Trump endorsed Tommy Tuberville, a close political ally, for governor.

Jones campaign promises

▪Doug Jones's campaign platform includes expanding Medicaid, raising the minimum wage, and investing in small businesses.
▪Jones promised to create a state government that works for the people of Alabama, not for "the well connected, the special interest."

Alabama unemployment statistics dispute

▪In a speech, Tommy Tuberville claimed that 30% of all Alabamians are unemployed.
▪The Alabama Department of Labor reported the state's unemployment rate was 2.6% in March 2026.