A Pivotal Election In Alabama: The Yellowhammer State Stands At A Crossroads

By Christopher M Peeks September 7th, 2025

In the modern history of Alabama politics, many pivotal elections shaped the course for the Yellowhammer State. How would things look today if, in 1958, a 39-year-old circuit judge from Barbour County, a moderate on racial issues endorsed by the NAACP, named George Wallace, had defeated the Ku Klux Klan-backed Attorney General John Patterson? If the schism in the Democratic Party caused by the infamous 1986 Baxley-Graddick race does not occur, which led to Guy Hunt becoming the first GOP governor in Alabama since reconstruction is Republican-turned-Democrat-turned-Republican Fob James, and subsequent Republicans like future Governor Bob Riley and future Lt. Governor Steve Windom, able to capture statewide office, or do Alabama constitutional offices remain in Democratic hands until 2010? We can only wonder.

As we embark on the 2026 midterms, the election news cycle here in the Camellia State is dominated by candidates taking swipes at each other. What we are witnessing unfold is the beginning of a watershed moment in the state's political history.

Are we seeing a similar division in the GOP ranks as the one aforementioned that led to the demise of the state's Democratic Party? No, nothing to that level. However, one high-ranking GOP operative, whom I will not name, agrees with my assessment that we are at a crossroads.

Barring some weird fluke, nothing short of U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville's name appearing on the Epstein client list will prevent him from occupying the governor's mansion in January of 2027, and I'm not even sure that would keep Coach from being the next chief executive of the state. He is by far the most popular politician to ever serve the people of Alabama. That battle for the top spot is a foregone conclusion, but the down-ballot races are another story.

When the dust is settled and the field is cleared from Lt. Governor down to the State Auditor, Alabama will see the next generation of Governors and U.S. Senators. Most of the vanquished political careers will be over, leaving a clear line of ascension from one office to the next.

The state auditor will be the next secretary of state. Whoever wins the secretary of state's office will be the next lieutenant governor. The candidate that comes out on top in the lieutenant governor's race could be the next governor, or they could face a showdown with the person who prevails in the contest for attorney general. This is exciting on one hand while disheartening on the other. Why should this cause gloom?

Well, in the old USSR, the citizens could foretell the next General Secretary. Now, I am not saying these men and women vying to serve as our next leaders are Marxist. I have had the pleasure of interviewing many of them. What I am saying is with the herd thinned out, a lack of competition is not good for our Republican form of representative government. Like the late Rush Limbaugh once said, "no one should run unopposed."

For political people, 2026 will be the most important election in a generation in Alabama, the most intense and probably the most expensive. I am impressed with the slate of candidates from whom the voters will be choosing, who will serve our state for the next quarter-century. But like all politicians, everyone has an agenda, and everything comes at a price.

The problem is we don't know if a candidate's key priorities will benefit the voter while benefiting them until they are long out of office. I suppose there are two ways to look at this glass holding water poured to the midway point. The cynic will say we are picking our poison, while the dreamer sees us looking to a new day. Your future is here. Choose wisely.

Christopher M Peeks

Reporter and Columnist

Alabama Political Contributor

As the sun rises over an empty rural road, an Alabama citizen stands contemplating the weight of a pivotal election, symbolized by a soaring eagle in the dawn sky.