A former top aide to U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and recent White House official, Morgan Murphy, will launch a Republican bid for Alabama’s open U.S. Senate seat at an event in Birmingham this evening, according to a news report from USA Today. 

Murphy, 53, is a captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve and a first-time candidate who drew national attention for helping engineer Tuberville’s monthslong blockade of military promotions over the Biden Pentagon’s military abortion travel policy, which was eventually reversed.

He left a White House public-diplomacy role last week ahead of the announcement.

“I feel called to run because President Trump’s America first agenda is the first political movement in my lifetime that made sense to me,” Murphy told USA Today.

He said he wants Trump’s “common-sense approach to government [to] last not just another three-and-a-half years while he’s in office but well beyond.”

“You better believe President Trump and Coach Tuberville both demand excellence on every level,” he said. “I’m proud to have worked for both men and will make it my mission to continue their fight in the U.S. Senate for years to come.”

Murphy’s résumé spans media and national security: stints at Southern Living and Forbes preceded work as press secretary to former Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller and as a senior fellow at the America First Policy Institute, along with White House and State Department public-diplomacy roles.

Murphy also told USA Today that he has informed the White House of his plans and spoken with Tuberville.

“The president likes to back winners, and I want to get out on the campaign trail and prove that I have support before I ask him for his support.”

Alabama’s 2026 U.S. Senate race could be heavily influenced by an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

But Murphy is joining a field of candidates that include U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, and former U.S. Navy Seal Jared Hudson.

On his already-launched campaign website, Murphy describes his platform as an extension of Trump-era “America First” priorities and “Coach’s values” in the U.S. Senate.