2026 United States Senate election in Alabama
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| Elections in Alabama |
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The 2026 United States Senate election in Alabama will be held on November 3, 2026, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Alabama. Incumbent Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville, who was first elected in 2020 with 60.1% of the vote,[1] initially ran for re-election, but instead chose to run for governor of Alabama in 2026.[2] Primary elections will be held on May 19, 2026.[3]
This will be the first open race for this Class II seat since 1996.[a]
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Jared Hudson, tactical training business owner and nominee for Jefferson County sheriff in 2022[4]
- Steve Marshall, Attorney General of Alabama (2017–present)[5]
- Jeremy Spratling, businessman[6]
Announcement pending
[edit]- Barry Moore, U.S. representative from Alabama's 1st congressional district (2021–present) (announcement expected August 15, 2025)[7]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Mo Brooks, former U.S. representative from Alabama's 5th congressional district (2011–2023) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2017 and 2022[8]
- Kent Davis, former commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (2019–2024)[9]
- Morgan Murphy, former national security advisor to Tommy Tuberville[10]
Potential
[edit]- Joe Agresti, car dealer[11]
- Tommy Battle, mayor of Huntsville (2008–present) and candidate for governor in 2018[12]
- Bradley Byrne, former U.S. representative from Alabama's 1st congressional district (2014–2021) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2020[12]
- Nathaniel Ledbetter, speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives (2023–present) from the 24th district (2014–present)[12]
- Nick Saban, College GameDay host and former coach of Alabama Crimson Tide football[13]
- Sandy Stimpson, mayor of Mobile (2013–present)[12]
- Jessica Taylor, attorney, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022, and candidate for AL-02 in 2020[14]
Withdrawn
[edit]- Tommy Tuberville, incumbent U.S. Senator (running for governor)[2]
Declined
[edit]- Will Ainsworth, Lieutenant Governor of Alabama (2019–present)[15]
- Gary Palmer, U.S. representative from Alabama's 6th congressional district (2015–present) (running for re-election)[16]
- Bruce Pearl, Auburn Tigers men's basketball coach[17]
- Dale Strong, U.S. representative from Alabama's 5th congressional district (2023–present) (running for re-election)[18]
Endorsements
[edit]Jared Hudson
- Individuals
- Riley Gaines, conservative activist[19]
Barry Moore (not declared)
- Statewide officials
- John Merrill, Secretary of State of Alabama (2015–2023)[20]
Bruce Pearl (declined)
- U.S. representatives
- Tim Burchett, U.S. representative from Tennessee's 2nd congressional district (2019–present)[21]
- Individuals
- Charles Barkley, former professional basketball player[22]
Fundraising
[edit]| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Jared Hudson (R) | $209,721 | $8,596 | $201,126 |
| Steve Marshall (R) | $406,318 | $23,364 | $382,954 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[24] | |||
Polling
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Jared Hudson |
Steve Marshall |
Barry Moore |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLaughlin & Associates[25][c] | July 14–17, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 9% | 35% | 12% | 44% |
Hypothetical polling
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Dakarai Larriett, petcare business owner[27]
- Kyle Sweetser, construction company owner and 2024 Democratic National Convention speaker[28]
- Mark Wheeler II, chemist[29]
Filed paperwork
[edit]- Val Glasgow[30]
Potential
[edit]- Doug Jones, former U.S. senator (2018–2021)[14]
Withdrawn
[edit]- Greg Howard, podcaster (running for U.S. House)[31]
Fundraising
[edit]| Campaign finance reports as of June 30, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Raised | Spent | Cash on hand |
| Dakarai Larriett (D) | $52,325 | $26,752 | $25,573 |
| Kyle Sweetser (D) | $57,801 | $46,313 | $11,488 |
| Mark Wheeler II (D) | $10,237 | $2,356 | $7,881 |
| Source: Federal Election Commission[32] | |||
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Elections[33] | Solid R | Feb 20, 2025 |
| The Cook Political Report[34] | Solid R | Feb 13, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[35] | Safe R | Mar 12, 2025 |
| Race To The WH[36] | Safe R | Apr 27, 2025 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Luther Strange, the incumbent Senator at the time, ran for election to finish Jeff Sessions's term in 2017, but lost in the Republican primary to Roy Moore.
- ^ a b Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear - ^ Poll sponsored by Marshall's campaign
References
[edit]- ^ "Alabama U.S. Senate Election Results". The New York Times. November 3, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ^ a b Angle, Alex (May 27, 2025). "Tuberville to announce run for governor in 2026". Alabama Daily News. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ Cason, Mike. "The date of Alabama's landmark 2026 primary elections has changed: Here's why". AL.com. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
- ^ Thomas, Erica (May 28, 2025). "'Fighter for Alabama': Former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson running for U.S. Senate". 1819 News. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ^ Baker, Trent. "'The nation needs strong conservative leadership': Steve Marshall announces U.S. Senate bid". 1819 News. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
- ^ Harwell, Harper (May 30, 2025). "Prominent Bham business owner posts run for US Senate". Birmingham Business Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
- ^ Angle, Alex (July 15, 2025). "Moore teases 'BIG' announcement in August". Alabama Daily News. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Musick, Mecca (June 9, 2025). "Brooks would consider 2026 Senate run 'if necessary'". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
- ^ Cason, Mike (May 28, 2025). "Who will be Alabama's next US Senator? Republicans line up in race to replace Tommy Tuberville". The Birmingham News. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ^ Taylor, Daniel. "Report: Former national security advisor to Tuberville considering run for open Senate seat". 1819 News. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
- ^ Nir, David. "Morning Digest: Why there's plenty of time for Democrats to find a challenger in Maine". www.the-downballot.com. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Poor, Jeff (April 28, 2025). "Names to watch for a potential wide-open 2026 U.S. Senate race in Alabama". 1819 News. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ Brauner, Michael (April 30, 2025). "Nick Saban for Senate? Paul Finebaum says now's the time - and Trump could help launch it". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ a b Koplowitz, Howard (March 6, 2025). "Who could replace Tommy Tuberville in the Senate? 5 candidates to watch if he runs for Alabama governor". The Birmingham News. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
- ^ Baker, Trent (May 8, 2025). "Ainsworth: Not 'that much of an interest' in running for Senate — 'I've been the underdog before'". 1819 News. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ^ Yaffee, Michael (April 29, 2025). "Gary Palmer rules out running for open U.S. Senate seat in 2026, grades President Trump's performance in first 100 days". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ Baker, Trent (June 30, 2025). "Bruce Pearl shoots down Senate aspirations: 'I love my country, but I love being the basketball coach at Auburn'". 1819 News. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
- ^ Vincent, JJ (May 28, 2025). "Dale Strong to run for re-election in 2026, will not seek Tuberville's open Senate seat". WZDX. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
- ^ Yaffee, Michael (June 27, 2025). "Riley Gaines: 'I stand with Jared Hudson' for U.S. Senate". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ "Former AL Secretary of State: Barry Moore would be strong Senate candidate". WTVY. July 16, 2025. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
- ^ Poor, Jeff (June 1, 2025). "Tennessee U.S. Rep. Burchett pledges support for Bruce Pearl to the U.S. Senate — 'BP is the man, he is an energizer, I would love to see it'". 1819 News. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ Brauner, Michael (July 10, 2025). "Charles Barkley on Bruce Pearl's potential bid for U.S. Senate in 2026: 'If he wants to run, I'm gonna support him 100%'". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
- ^ "- AIPAC Political Portal". candidates.aipacpac.org. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Election United States Senate - Alabama". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ^ Taylor, Caleb. "Poll: Marshall leading Moore, Hudson in 2026 Alabama Senate race". 1819 News. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
- ^ Poor, Jeff. "Poll: Marshall tops Dobson, Moore, Pearl in speculative GOP U.S. Senate field". 1819 News. Retrieved June 12, 2025.
- ^ "Democrat Dakarai Larriett launches U.S. Senate campaign". The Cullman Tribune. April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Koplowitz, Howard (April 16, 2025). "Lifelong Alabama Republican who bashed Trump at DNC running to send 'Tuberville back to Florida'". The Birmingham News. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
- ^ Cason, Mike (June 2, 2025). "Alabama Democrat running for Senate says he's risen above family history that includes multiple murders". AL.com. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- ^ "Glasgow, Val FEC FORM 2 STATEMENT OF CANDIDACY".
- ^ "Congressional Filings: April 2025". Journal for a Broken America. May 12, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025 – via Substack.
- ^ "2026 Election United States Senate - Alabama". fec.gov. Federal Election Commission. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
- ^ "Senate Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ "2026 CPR Senate Race Ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Senate Forecast". Race to the WH. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official campaign websites
- Jared Hudson (R) for Senate
- Dakarai Larriett (D) for Senate
- Steve Marshall (R) for Senate
- Kyle Sweetser (D) for Senate
- Mark Wheeler (D) for Senate
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