Fresh off an endorsement from the Alabama Farmers Federations, Attorney General and U.S. Senate candidate Steve Marshall used a Wednesday radio hit to weigh in on a potential Paul Finebaum U.S. Senate bid in 2026.
In an interview with “The Jeff Poor Show” on FM Talk 1065, Marshall spoke about Finebaum possibly becoming one of his opponents. He gave a short but firm answer.
“Now look, if Paul gets in it, he will have an opportunity to share a vision for what he believes,” Marshall said.
“And so he described President Trump as ‘acting like a child.’ President Trump rightfully was concerned about people kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest, and how disrespectful that was. Not only to our flag but to our nation. If he believes that’s the way that we ought to act, I’m sure that voters of Alabama will have a response to that.”
Marshall was referring to Finebaum’s past on-air criticism of Donald Trump during the NFL national-anthem protests, at one point saying the president was “acting like a child.”
Reacting to the ALFA endorsement, Marshall said:
“I am humbled and really appreciative of having the support of farmers throughout Alabama. As you well know, ALFA is probably the largest grassroots organization in the state, and it is truly driven by local communities making decisions about who they want to serve in elected office. For me, the endorsement for our next United States Senator, but very appreciative of that, I think what they had the ability to do is to evaluate what I’ve done now, for almost nine years as attorney general, how we’ve been responsive to the issues that affect our agriculture community, and how they believe I can be effective in Congress in trying to address the issues that affect Alabama farmers daily.”
When asked what sort of measures need to be taken in the U.S. Senate that would affect Alabama farmers, Marshall spoke to kitchen table topics.
“Number one, I think we got to remember that while agriculture is a significant driver of our economy, over $51 billion economic impact Alabama, the Alabama farmers truly are kind of that cultural centering spot of who we are as a state. I mean, the family farm really is what made Alabama great,” Marshall said.
“And so I think what farmers are looking for is not only what impacts the economic side of their jobs, but also kind of the very principal things that they care about, just with faith, family and freedom. And so as the United States Senator, I need to be able to deliver on both of those fundamentals that we got to get a farm bill passed. And while the big, beautiful Bill obviously had some impact to be able to help farmers relating to reference prices that they can depend on for commodities that they’re growing. You know, they have faced maybe the most significant impact of the Biden inflation. It involves costs and how it is that they make a living. I think farmers tell me, kind of jokingly: Say, we we sell it wholesale and buy retail, right? I mean, it’s not the easiest thing to do to be able to make a living, and we want to be able to cultivate and secure our national security, both with food security and the ability of farmers to be able to make a living. We need to be able to do things that support them. And so a farm bill is important. Reference prices are important. And you also continue to adhere to a program that is important to many throughout Alabama, and you know, excessive fees and costs being associated with that, and we need to make sure that’s affordable program that they can be.”
As state attorney general and former district attorney of Marshall County, Marshall says he has encountered a “sad” situation. He said many law enforcement officers do not encourage their sons and daughters to go into law enforcement “because I don’t see that as being the life that they need moving forward. We’ve got to change that,”
Jeff Poor asked Marshall how his campaign for U.S. Senate is going. Marshall said “good” and mentioned endorsements he has received, specifically Associated Builders and Contractors.
The Republican primary for U.S. Senate is on May 19, 2026.
Marshall so far faces five opponents: Congressman Barry Moore (R-Enterprise); Jared Hudson, tactical training business owner and GOP nominee for Sheriff of Jefferson County in 2022; Morgan Murphy, former national security advisor to Sen. Tuberville; Jerey Spratling, real estate investor; and Rodney Walker, wholesale fuel company CEO. Other candidates may enter the race in advance of the January 23, 2026 qualifying deadline.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected]
