Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) is projected to win Alabama's gubernatorial race, defeating former Democratic Senator Doug Jones, according to Decision Desk HQ. The victory marks a rematch of their 2020 Senate contest, which Tuberville won by roughly 20 points, flipping the seat to Republican control.
Tuberville will succeed term-limited Governor Kay Ivey, ensuring the governor's mansion remains in Republican hands. The former Auburn University football coach, who entered politics in 2020, has closely aligned himself with former President Trump throughout his campaign, emphasizing immigration enforcement, tax cuts, and conservative social policies.
In the Republican primary in May, Tuberville secured the nomination with more than 85% of the vote, defeating Ken McFeeters and Will Santivasci. Jones won the Democratic primary with nearly 79% of the vote. The general election was marked by sharp policy differences, particularly over Medicaid expansion and school choice.
Tuberville opposed expanding Medicaid, arguing the state could not afford the program, while Jones supported expansion and proposed phasing out Alabama's CHOOSE Act school voucher program. Tuberville, in contrast, supported expanding the voucher initiative. The two also sparred over education funding and rural healthcare access.
Fundraising played a significant role, with Tuberville raising approximately $17.7 million compared to Jones's $6.8 million, according to campaign finance reports through Oct. 27. Tuberville also declined to debate Jones, who held a campaign event in October featuring video clips of the Republican's past statements.
Alabama has not elected a Democratic governor since Don Siegelman in 1998, and this race continues that trend. The outcome also bolsters Trump's influence in the state, as Tuberville remains a staunch ally. Elsewhere, other races have seen shifts, such as Wisconsin's historic gubernatorial result and Colorado's projected winner, but Alabama's result underscores the GOP's continued dominance in the Deep South.
Tuberville's victory is part of a broader Republican push in Southern gubernatorial races, though not all have gone as expected; for instance, Texas saw an upset earlier this cycle. For Alabama, the focus now shifts to policy implementation, with Tuberville expected to pursue conservative priorities in Montgomery.
