A coalition of Alabama business leaders has announced support for Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate in his campaign for Lt. Governor in 2026, citing his record as a business owner and commitment to economic growth.
The group, called Business Partners for Rick Pate, launched this week and is actively recruiting other leaders from across the state. Members say they back Pate because he is the only candidate in the race with decades of firsthand experience founding, expanding, and operating a company.
“The business community needs a doer, not a talker serving as lieutenant governor, and Rick Pate is the only candidate who has signed the front of a paycheck so others can sign the back,” said coalition member Ken Upchurch, chairman and CEO of W.K. Upchurch Construction.
Supporters highlighted Pate’s record as founder of Pate Landscape Co., which he ran for 38 years before entering public service. They pointed to his pledge to cut excessive regulation, expand workforce development, and invest in infrastructure such as roads, ports, broadband, and industrial parks.
The coalition also emphasized Pate’s commitment to promoting affordable and reliable energy for Alabama businesses.
“Alabama has made great progress in recent years in expanding our workforce development programs and focusing on labor force participation, and Rick Pate is the only candidate with the experience to sustain and build upon that momentum,” Upchurch said.
Members of the coalition steering committee include Jimmy and Wayne Bassett of Beck’s Turf, Beau Bevis of Arc Realty, Jeff Brooks of HighPoint Holdings, Mac Caddell of Caddell Construction, Bob Crawford of United Distributors of Alabama, Birmingham, Jack Darnall of Lemoine Program Services, Daniel Hughes of Envolve Communities, Bob Isakson of Lafayette Land Company, Michael Kirkpatrick of Dese Research Inc., Jason Neff of the Law Office of Jason C. Neff, Mindy Newell of Kickback Ranch and Event Center, Jordan Plaster of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC, Gary Savage of BL Harbert International’s U.S. Group, Shep Morris of Morris & Morris Farms, and former Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange.
Pate, who has served as Alabama’s agriculture commissioner since 2019, is one of several Republicans competing in the May 19, 2026, primary to succeed Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who is term-limited.
The Alabama Republican Party primary election will be held on May 19, 2026.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
