Alabama voters went to the polls Tuesday to select their party nominees for governor and a key Senate seat, with the general election already shaping up as a rematch between Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville and former Democratic Sen. Doug Jones.
Polls closed at 8 p.m. EDT, and results are being tracked by Decision Desk HQ. The primaries will determine who succeeds term-limited Gov. Kay Ivey (R) and who challenges Tuberville in November.
Senate Primary: Tuberville Leads GOP Field
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the former Auburn football coach, is heavily favored to win the Republican primary against two lesser-known challengers. Tuberville defeated Jones in 2020 to claim the seat, and Jones is now making a longshot bid to reclaim it in a state that has become reliably red.
Jones faces five primary opponents on the Democratic side, but he is the presumptive nominee and has been campaigning as a moderate alternative in a state where Democrats have struggled for decades.
Gubernatorial Race: Open Seat Draws Crowded Field
With Ivey unable to run again, the governor's race has attracted a large number of candidates in both parties. The Republican primary is the most competitive, with several state lawmakers and political newcomers vying for the nomination. The Democratic field is smaller but includes candidates hoping to capitalize on any GOP infighting.
The outcome in the governor's race could have significant implications for state policy on education, healthcare, and economic development. Alabama has one of the lowest tax burdens in the country but also faces challenges in funding schools and expanding Medicaid.
National Context: Trump's Influence Tested
The Alabama primaries come amid a broader primary season where former President Donald Trump's endorsement has been a decisive factor in many races. In Kentucky, Trump-backed challengers are taking on incumbents like Rep. Thomas Massie, while in Georgia, the governor's race is a test of Trump's grip on the GOP base.
Alabama has been a stronghold for Trump, who won the state by double digits in both 2016 and 2020. Tuberville has aligned himself closely with Trump, while Jones has tried to distance himself from the national Democratic brand.
For more on the broader primary landscape, see our coverage of Kentucky Senate Primary: Barr, Cameron Lead GOP; Booker, McGrath Dominate Dems and Alabama Senate Primary: Barry More Leads GOP Field to Replace Tuberville.
What's at Stake
The winner of the general election for governor will inherit a state that has seen steady economic growth but also persistent poverty and racial divides. The Senate race, meanwhile, could help determine control of the chamber, though Alabama is not considered a swing state.
Jones' campaign has focused on healthcare and infrastructure, while Tuberville has emphasized border security and conservative values. Both candidates are expected to spend heavily in the general election, but Tuberville holds a significant fundraising advantage.
As results come in, the political world will be watching to see whether the Trump-aligned wing of the GOP continues its dominance or whether moderate candidates can make inroads.
