Round Two in Alabama: Doug Jones Signals Gubernatorial Run, Setting Stage for Potential Tuberville Rematch

By Staff Writer November 23, 2025

Round Two in Alabama: Doug Jones Signals Gubernatorial Run, Setting Stage for Potential Tuberville Rematch

BIRMINGHAM, AL – The 2026 race for Alabama Governor is rapidly evolving from a quiet state affair into a potential heavyweight rematch with national implications. Following U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville’s official announcement earlier this year that he will leave the Senate to run for Governor, former Democratic Senator Doug Jones has begun openly signaling his intent to enter the race.

While Jones has asked voters to "stay tuned" rather than officially filing paperwork as of mid-November 2025, his potential candidacy has already sent shockwaves through the state’s political ecosystem. If he runs, it sets the stage for a dramatic rematch of the 2020 Senate race, pitting Alabama’s most prominent Democrat against its most polarizing

Republican heavyweight.

The "Jones Effect" on the Democratic Field

For the declared Democratic candidates—including perennial candidate Will Boyd, educator Yolanda Flowers, and others—a Doug Jones entry would fundamentally alter the primary dynamic.

Currently, the Democratic field lacks a candidate with statewide name recognition or a proven fundraising network comparable to the state’s Republican heavy hitters. Jones, the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama in 25 years (in the 2017 special election), would immediately become the presumptive nominee.

Implications for other Democrats:

Fundraising Vacuum: Jones is a fundraising powerhouse with a national donor network established during his Senate tenure. His entry would likely suck the "political oxygen" out of the room, making it difficult for lesser-known candidates to raise the money needed for TV ads or statewide get-out-the-vote efforts.

Clearing the Field: While some candidates may stay in to push specific issues, party pragmatists would likely consolidate behind Jones early to avoid a costly primary battle, viewing him as the only Democrat with a statistical shot at the Governor's mansion.

Platform Shift: Jones represents a moderate, "New South" wing of the party. His presence would likely shift the Democratic primary conversation away from ideological purity tests and toward "electability" and competence—specifically focusing on economic development and healthcare expansion.

The Main Event: Jones vs. Tuberville II

The prospect of a general election between Doug Jones and Tommy Tuberville offers a stark contrast in style and substance, serving as a direct sequel to their 2020 Senate battle, which Tuberville won with roughly 60% of the vote.

However, the political terrain in 2026 is slightly different than 2020.

The Tuberville Advantage:

Tommy Tuberville enters the race as the heavy favorite. Alabama remains a deeply red state where the "R" next to a name is often the only qualification needed for victory. Tuberville’s transition from the Senate to the Governor’s race allows him to leverage his high name ID and strong alignment with the MAGA base. Recent polling from Cygnal in November 2025 shows Tuberville leading a hypothetical matchup against Jones by a margin of 53% to 34%, a daunting 19-point gap.

The Jones Strategy:

For Jones to bridge that gap, he appears ready to execute a strategy focused on "competence vs. embarrassment."

Targeting Tuberville’s Record: Jones has already begun attacking Tuberville’s Senate record, specifically highlighting the controversial blockade of military promotions that drew bipartisan ire in Washington. Jones is positioning himself as the "adult in the room" who can bring stability and business investment to Alabama, contrasting his legal and legislative background with Tuberville’s often-controversial tenure.

The "Local" Angle:

Governor's races are often less partisan than federal races. Jones will likely campaign heavily on local issues—expanding Medicaid, improving Alabama’s education rankings, and rural hospital funding—hoping to peel off moderate Republicans and independents who may have soured on Tuberville’s national culture-war focus.

What It Means for Alabama

If Jones makes his run official, the 2026 Alabama Governor’s race will instantly become one of the most watched in the South. It tests a critical question: Can a moderate Democrat survive in the Deep South by running against the performance of a Republican incumbent, rather than just their ideology?

For now, the Democratic field is in a holding pattern, waiting for the former Senator to make his move. If he does, the road to Montgomery will go through one of the most contentious rivalries in modern Alabama history.