The current candidates for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2026 are probably breathing a little bit easier today as a potential high-profile personality has decided not to throw his hat in the ring.
After months of speculation, longtime college football commentator Paul Finebaum officially announced today that he will NOT seek Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2026, which is being vacated by U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn), who is running for Governor.
“I have been deeply moved by so many people in Alabama who have reached out encouraging me to run for the United States Senate,” Finebaum told AL(dot)com Tuesday. “It has been a gratifying and rewarding experience.”
The decision leaves Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), Morgan Murphy, former U.S. Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, and Rodney Walker as the remaining candidates in the race.
“I am also appreciative of my bosses at ESPN for allowing me to explore this opportunity,” Finebaum added. “But it’s time for me to devote my full attention to something everyone in Alabama can agree upon – our love of college football.”
According to a report from Jewish Insider last month, Finebaum had “given himself a deadline of the first week in December to decide.”
While Finebaum kept his political views under wraps for the majority of his career due to ESPN policy, he revealed to Clay Travis in September he is a registered Republican. No doubt he would have also had strong name ID if he decided to run.
Though, Tuberville recently speculated on the potential candidacy and said Finebaum would have needed more than just name ID to win.
“When I was well known like Paul, people didn’t know my politics … If he does it, he’s got to go tell people why he’s doing it, not just who he is,” Tuberville said. “People already know [he’s got] 100% name ID, but you’ve got to tell people his politics and what he believes in and what he’s going to try to do.”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
