For too long, Alabama conservatives have had to settle. We’ve watched the Republican supermajority in Montgomery expand the size of government, increase spending, and delay the reforms we were promised. With Senator Tommy Tuberville’s announcement that he’s running for Governor, we finally have the opportunity to change that.

This is more than a campaign, it’s a fight for the soul of Alabama.

I had the honor of being in Auburn with Coach Tuberville when he made his announcement, and the energy in the room was electric. However, the crowd’s composition struck me even more than the energy. It wasn’t a room full of career politicians or lobbyists, but everyday Alabamians.

There were business owners, retirees, students and families who care about our great state. Like I do, these people believe that Coach Tuberville will be a governor who answers to the people, not to special interests. 

Just as Donald Trump went to Washington to drain the swamp, Tommy Tuberville is stepping into the fight to drain the moat around Montgomery, the murky, self-serving political class that’s built walls of bureaucracy between the people and their government.

A Proven Conservative Warrior

Senator Tuberville didn’t go to D.C. to be liked. He went to lead. When the Biden administration used the Department of Defense to push abortion-on-demand, Tuberville stood his ground, refusing to allow mass military promotions until the policy was reversed.

While many in the media and his own party caved to pressure, Tuberville held firm because principle still matters. That’s the kind of leadership we need in Montgomery.

He’s consistently stood with President Trump, fought to secure the border, supported school choice, and refused to play politics with our Constitution. He’s brought a coach’s discipline and clarity to the chaos of Washington, and now he’s bringing that same tenacity to a new mission: taking on the bloated, slow-moving political machine entrenched in our state capital.

Coach Tuberville knows how to lead under pressure. He knows how to rally a team, develop a game plan, and stay focused when others fold.

These aren’t just political slogans; they’re traits Alabama needs in its next governor. What we’re facing isn’t a policy debate; it’s a cultural and economic turning point.

The Real Problem in Alabama: It’s Not the Democrats

Let’s be honest, Alabama doesn’t have a Democrat problem. We have a pretender problem. Our legislature is dominated by Republicans in name only (RINOs), who campaign as conservatives but govern like bureaucrats. Instead of downsizing government, they’ve ballooned it. Alabama’s 2025 General Fund budget increased by nearly 10% from the prior year, hitting a record $3.7 billion.

Meanwhile, instead of reducing the tax burden on Alabama families, they’ve sat on surpluses. They’ve refused to repeal the state income tax even though all the states around us either have no state income tax or have voted to reduce or eliminate it.

Rather than reforming bloated agencies, they’ve buried conservative bills in committee while quietly growing state payrolls and perks.

This isn’t fiscal conservatism. It’s cowardice cloaked in convenience.

Tuberville’s Fight is Our Fight

What sets Tuberville apart is that he’s not afraid to name names and challenge the system. Just like Trump exposed the deep rot in Washington from the FBI to the foreign lobbyists, Tuberville is prepared to shine the light on Montgomery’s insider game.

He won’t tiptoe around the Montgomery establishment. He’ll bulldoze through it. But here’s the key: he can’t do it alone.

We need to give him a conservative legislature. That means challenging RINOs in the primaries and recruiting citizen legislators who still believe the government is supposed to serve the people, not special interests, Montgomery lobbyists, or federal grant checklists.

He is already laying out a vision centered on business growth and economic expansion.

As a pro-growth conservative, Tuberville understands that job creation starts by empowering small business owners, eliminating red tape, and ensuring our tax policy rewards, not punishes, entrepreneurship. He has consistently spoken out about the need to foster a business climate that encourages investment and reduces government bureaucracy.

What Should a Conservative Legislature Do?

If Alabama is serious about reform, we need lawmakers and a governor willing to fight for:

• Eliminating the state income tax to compete with our neighbors and put more money in the hands of working families.
• Transparent budgets with accountability for every agency, especially the Department of Education and the Department of Public Health.
• Cultural protections to prevent woke ideologies from taking root in our classrooms and libraries.
• Pro-life, pro-family legislation that strengthens parental rights and safeguards children.
• Term limits and ethics reforms that break the stranglehold of career politicians.

These aren’t radical ideas. They’re common sense if you’re not beholden to Montgomery’s donor class.

The 2026 Election Is a Crossroads

Governor Kay Ivey’s tenure is ending, and so is the excuse-making. The 2026 election is our opportunity to hit reset. But we must act. We must organize. We must engage. It’s not enough to vote red. We need to vote right.

Just as we did in 2016 and 2020 at the national level, Alabama conservatives must now rise and take back our state. Tuberville’s campaign should be the tip of the spear, a rallying cry for a new generation of Alabama leaders who aren’t interested in backroom deals, budget gimmicks, or bureaucratic bloat. They’re ready to restore Alabama to its conservative roots.

A Coach Who Knows How to Win

As a former coach, Tuberville understands something most politicians don’t: the game is won by preparation, discipline, and a relentless drive to succeed. He knows how to build a team, lead under pressure, and deliver results.

He also knows who the opponent is, and he’s not afraid to call them out. Whether it’s liberal Democrats, out-of-touch bureaucrats, or Republican legislators who’ve grown too comfortable in their roles, Tuberville is ready to confront the establishment head-on.

Draining the Moat Starts Now

This isn’t just about one man. It’s about a movement.

A movement to finally reform a government that’s grown too large, too entitled, and too insulated from the people it’s supposed to serve.

A movement to reclaim conservative values in our schools, economy, and communities.

A movement to make Alabama a beacon of bold, unapologetic leadership again.

Coach Tuberville is stepping onto the field. It’s time the rest of us suit up.

Let’s give him the team he needs. Let’s bring back real conservatives in every district. Let’s retire the RINOs and restore the republic in the Heart of Dixie.

Because draining the moat in Montgomery isn’t just a slogan, it’s the mission.

Gerrick Wilkins is an automotive consultant, former congressional candidate, and author of Unshackling Democracy: Embracing Term Limits, Empowering Citizens. Reach Gerrick at [email protected] or follow him on X @gdwilkins.