Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth is weighing the options for his political future in the Yellowhammer State.
It was widely expected that Ainsworth would announce his intention to run for Governor of Alabama, but now there’s speculation that he will run for U.S. Senate. The possible change comes at reporting indicated that U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) will announce his campaign for governor in the coming weeks.
Yellowhammer News recently confirmed that Tuberville told a group of donors at a private event that rather than seeking re-election to the U.S. Senate, he is ready to run his next race in Alabama, and serve the people of the state in Montgomery instead of Washington.
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Ainsworth asked his followers on social media if they would prefer him run for Senate or possibly challenge Tuberville for governor.
“I think probably most people say Governor, right? I think there’s also a sentiment out there that if Coach runs, it seems like a lot of people didn’t want us in the same race,” Ainsworth said Wednesday on WVNN. “And potentially we need to sit down and talk, which we’ve been doing and if he runs for governor, maybe I run for Senate, which is not something I’ve really had a desire to do.”
The Lt. Governor said he has the support of his family no matter what decision he makes in the end.
“Obviously, the wife and kids, we’ve talked about it, prayed about it. They’re on board whatever direction God leads us, whatever that is,” he said. “And then also just want to kind of get thoughts of just followers, people that support us through the years. And that’s kind of why we did that.”
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Ainsworth said he’s currently focused on getting through the session.
“My plan all along, I’ve been pretty consistent with this, is get through session and just decide to do that,” he said. “Just kind of with the announcement he made, and that he’s looking at running for governor. The number one question I get from everybody is, what you’re going to do? And I think I’ve got like 50,000 followers on Facebook, so I just want to kind of get their thoughts….but I just got to figure out how I can best, you know, benefit our state, and I think that’s important.”
After the historic address President Donald Trump delivered to 2025 graduates of the University of Alabama on Thursday night, Ainsworth posted a picture of himself and Tuberville, who’s seat he might vie for, after the ceremony:
Great visiting with @SenTuberville tonight @UofAlabama graduation with special guest @realDonaldTrump . pic.twitter.com/22n6v6Sdlp
— Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) May 2, 2025
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
