Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s recent move has the political scene in Alabama buzzing as speculation grows over who might fill his seat. Names like Steve Marshall, Bruce Pearl, and Doug Jones are all being floated as possible contenders for one of the most conservative Senate seats in the country.
According to The Hill, Tuberville announced plans to run for governor, leaving his Senate seat open for the 2026 race. The development has triggered a wave of interest, particularly among Alabama’s Republicans, with several serious contenders already emerging.
As the governor’s office is also in play, with current Governor Kay Ivey term-limited, Tuberville’s decision is poised to reshape Alabama politics. State Attorney General Steve Marshall has shown openness to a Senate bid, while Auburn basketball coach Bruce Pearl and former Sen. Doug Jones are also being discussed as potential entrants. With Alabama’s strong conservative lean, the Republican primary is expected to be fiercely contested.
State Attorney General Steve Marshall, a Republican, is drawing attention after indicating a possible run for the Senate if Tuberville vacated his seat. Marshall, who cannot run for attorney general again due to term limits, has ruled out a gubernatorial campaign but left the door open for other statewide offices.
During a March interview on Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal,” Marshall said he has “great support” for Tuberville’s record in the Senate but would consider making a run for the seat if it became available. Marshall cited his experience with federal issues as attorney general as a strong foundation for a Senate campaign.
He explained, “If that seat becomes open, the Senate’s been sort of an overlay interest for what I’ve had at attorney general, the work we’ve done federally, many of the issues that we’ve been involved with, if that’s an open seat, I think we’ll be prepared to pivot quickly and make an announcement on whether or not we’d run.”
Alabama is no stranger to sports figures pivoting into politics, and speculation is mounting around Auburn University men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl. Pearl, who is well-known in the state for his coaching record, has reportedly had his name floated as a potential Senate candidate by insiders.
Semafor reported that one individual familiar with the situation claimed to have heard Pearl intends to run, though Tuberville himself expressed skepticism about that possibility. Tuberville, who also came to politics from a coaching background, stated, “I wouldn’t let him do it because he did such a good job at Auburn. We need him there.”
Pearl’s public presence extends beyond basketball, as he is currently the chair of the board of directors for the U.S. Israel Education Association. His recent social media activity has covered issues ranging from sports to international affairs, notably the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
While Alabama remains a Republican stronghold, Democrats have not been entirely absent from the conversation. Former Sen. Doug Jones, who won a stunning upset in 2017, is being mentioned as a possible contender for statewide office, though speculation currently centers more on a gubernatorial run than the Senate.
Jones, a Democrat, defeated Roy Moore in a 2017 special election to fill the seat left by Jeff Sessions, who became U.S. attorney general. Moore’s campaign was derailed by serious allegations of sexual misconduct, which Jones capitalized on to become the first Democrat to win statewide in Alabama in years. Tuberville later defeated Jones in 2020.
Another Democratic name in the mix is small business owner Kyle Sweetser, who announced his Senate campaign last month. A lifelong Republican who voted for President Trump, Sweetser made headlines when he spoke at the Democratic National Convention, criticizing the president. His candidacy, however, faces steep odds in the deeply conservative state.
Senate Republicans remain confident about keeping the seat, with Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) stating, “Alabama is a Republican stronghold, so the NRSC is confident voters will elect another Republican to continue representing them and championing President Trump’s agenda.”
Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s announcement to run for governor has set off a high-stakes scramble for his Senate seat, with leading Alabama Republicans like Steve Marshall and Bruce Pearl weighing their options. Tuberville’s move, alongside the end of Gov. Kay Ivey’s term, ensures that 2026 will be a pivotal year for the state’s political direction.
The coming months will see candidates officially declare their intentions, with both parties positioning themselves for a bruising primary season. As Alabama remains a bedrock of conservative politics, Republican contenders will likely vie to prove their loyalty to President Trump and his policies. With the national spotlight on Alabama’s political future, all eyes will be on who emerges as the leading candidate to represent the state in the Senate and help shape its voice in the nation’s capital.
