A familiar name to North Alabama conservative politics made it official on Thursday that he’s running for State Senate.
John Roberts, a commercial real estate developer who lives, works and raises his family in the Huntsville-area Senate District 2, said he’s running to serve Alabamians for generations to come.
At age 33, Roberts is seeking the seat held by longtime State Sen. Tom Butler (R-Madison), who announced this week that the 2026 legislative session will be his final one — and that his seat will be up for grabs the same year.
“Today, I am announcing my candidacy for Senate District 2 because I believe in Alabama’s untapped potential,” Roberts said. “As a father, I’m not just thinking about the next election—I’m thinking about the next generation.”
“It’s time to build on our momentum as a state and create a future where Alabama leads, not follows. I want to see a state where hard work is rewarded, families are supported, and our children inherit a place they’re proud to call home.”
Roberts, who leads one of the region’s top commercial real estate outfits, Freedom Real Estate & Capital, founded by Alabama business titan Bill Roark, also brings a sharp background of workforce and economic development to his bid for public office.
Roberts previously served as Business Retention & Expansion Director for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, where he played a key role in recruiting new jobs and supporting local industry. He worked on some of the region’s largest economic development projects and built strong relationships with area employers to help grow the region’s economy.
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According to his campaign, Roberts’ commitment to workforce development is proven. During his time at the Huntsville Madison County Builders Association, he co-founded the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy, a no-cost school that prepares individuals for careers in the construction trades.
The academy’s success was recognized with the AlabamaWorks Innovator Award by Governor Kay Ivey in 2021.
In 2022, at age 30, Roberts also went big for a bid to represent North Alabama in Congress, running for the open 5th Congressional District, following former U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks’ exit from the seat after more than ten years.
At that time, Roberts mounted an ambitious and wide-reaching campaign operation that earned him nearly 14% of the vote in what was effectively a four-way race between then-Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong, former Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Casey Wardynski, and former State Senator Paul Sanford.
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Today, with his sights now set on the Alabama Legislature, Roberts says District 2 and the state as a whole has the opportunity to capitalize on gains made by President Trump and a Republican-controlled U.S. Congress.
“The Trump administration is laying the groundwork for American prosperity, and Alabama must be ready to build on it,” Roberts said. “We will create a state where our children can find great jobs, our businesses can thrive without red tape, and our families can get ahead. It all starts with investing in our people and building our workforce.”
“District 2 sits at the center of Alabama’s innovation economy, with world-class aerospace, technology, and manufacturing companies. We need leadership that understands what it takes to stay competitive. Through strategic partnerships with UAH, Calhoun Community College, and our K-12 schools, we’ll develop the skilled workforce that keeps our district leading Alabama’s economic future.”
Roberts also pledged on Thursday to take the fight to Montgomery for North Alabama’s fair share.
“For too long, the Montgomery system has ignored our growth,” Roberts said.
“Our district is home to two of the state’s fastest-growing counties, yet for every infrastructure dollar we send to Montgomery, political insiders only send 33 cents back. That’s not just unfair, it’s bad business for Alabama. I’ll work to bring your money home.”
The Alabama Republican Party primary will be held on May 19, 2026.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
