April 15 is traditionally known as the deadline to file your tax return. This time last year, Alabama political insiders had marked their calendars as that being the date that our 2026 political season would begin. It was thought that all of the thoroughbred horses would be at the gate to begin their races for the state’s four top political posts by April 15, 2025. Our Republican primary is our election in Alabama. Therefore, the election for Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and one of our U.S. Senate seats will be on the ballot next year. It will be a very big year as the three top constitutional offices of Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General are incumbent-free. The big question is whether the U.S. Senate Race will be incumbent-free.
The horses are late getting to the gate. However, we will have a probable starting gate date of Memorial Day, May 26, for the horses to be in their chutes. This is the date for fundraising to begin for the May 2026 Primary Election.
The looming question is, will our senior U.S. Senator, Tommy Tuberville, run in the 2026 election cycle? Will he run for re-election to his Senate seat, or will he run for Governor next year? That question will more than likely be answered in the next four to six weeks.
Coach Tuberville has flirted with the idea of running for Governor for the last six months. It has been the dominant question in Alabama politics over the past year. “Will he or won’t he?” is asked by politicos of each other on a daily basis. Well, it is getting late in the day, and it is getting close to time to fish or cut bait.
Having grown up in and around Alabama politics, my answer would be simple. If I were 72 years old like Tuberville, had one six-year term of seniority under my belt, was in the Republican majority, and was best friends with the Republican President, Donald J. Trump, it would be a no-brainer. I would run for another six-year term as a U.S. Senator. In most states, being Governor is a stepping stone to moving up to the U.S. Senate.
Being Governor of Alabama is not all it is cracked up to be. You have to really want to govern and have an agenda. You also have to have a good working relationship with the Alabama Legislature. Our Alabama Constitution inherently places the bulk of the power with the legislature. A lot of folks think the ultimate authority rests with the Governor. It does not. That perception, to a large degree, was derived from the influence that Governor George Wallace had during his four-term reign as governor. He, in essence, became a king. He controlled the legislature. In his heyday, he made the legislature an appendage of the Governor’s office. That day is gone. Over the past two or three decades, the legislature has taken that power back. Today, the adage the Governor proposes, and the legislature disposes, prevails.
Coach Tuberville would enjoy wearing the title of “Governor” and like the trappings and glamour of being governor but at the end of the day, he has got a much better job as a U.S. Senator.
Speaking of our Washington delegation, our Senior Congressman, Robert Aderholt, and his outstanding wife, Caroline, put on one whale of a wedding for their daughter, Mary Elliott, a few weeks ago. It was the closest thing to a regal wedding in Alabama history.
Robert Aderholt has indeed made the Alabama history books. He went to Congress in 1996 at the ripe age of 30. He is close to closing in on 30 years in the U.S. House, always representing the fourth district. Caroline is from a prominent North Alabama political family.
I remember being in Washington 25 to 30 years ago and seeing a young Congressman Aderholt and Caroline pushing their young baby girl around the capital in a baby buggy. That young baby has grown into a beautiful, successful young lady. Mary Elliott Aderholt married Grant Whitt, who is the son of Huntsville State Representative Andy Whitt and his beautiful wife, Jennifer, on March 29. Andy Whitt is a powerful North Alabama Legislator and successful banker.
The wedding was one for the record books. It took place at the majestic First Methodist Church of Huntsville. The wedding was magnificent. However, the reception at the elegant Ledges Country Club of Huntsville was something to behold.
Mingling for hours was truly a “Who’s Who” of Alabama politics. Every major, statewide political figure in Washington or Montgomery politics from past and present were there. I have never seen such an assemblage of Alabama political royalty gathered at a wedding or any event. It was truly a royal Alabama wedding.
See you next week.
Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at [email protected].
