Dr. Stewart Tankersley Outlines Vision for Alabama: Tackling Systemic Corruption, Healthcare Monopolies, and Public Health Failures​

Staff Writer May 16, 2026

​In a recent episode of the BCS. State of Alabama podcast, hosts Chris Peaks and Brandon Mosley sat down with Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Dr. Stewart Tankersley. A proud, lifelong Alabamian with an extensive background as an Army National Guard Colonel, family medicine physician, and former member of the Alabama Ethics Commission, Dr. Tankersley shared his motivation for entering public office and his strategy to dismantle the systemic issues plaguing the state.

​Exposing "Public Interest Corruption" and the "Big Mules"

​Drawing from his tenure on the Alabama Ethics Commission, Dr. Tankersley emphasized that Alabama consistently ranks poorly regarding institutional transparency. He distinguished between criminal corruption and what he terms "public interest corruption"—a system rigged legally to benefit a powerful group of entrenched corporate and political interests often referred to locally as the "big mules."

​To combat this, Dr. Tankersley proposed utilizing the Lieutenant Governor’s platform as the presiding officer of the Senate to host a weekly podcast. By broadcasting legislative actions directly to the public, he aims to bypass traditional political gatekeepers and pressure lawmakers to remain accountable to their constituents rather than special interest groups.

​The Threat of Out-of-State Gambling Cartels

​The discussion addressed the massive influx of out-of-state gambling money pouring into Alabama’s local and state elections. Dr. Tankersley warned that accepting funds from international gambling cartels invites a ruthless brand of political influence that could permanently damage the state’s legislative independence. Beyond the political implications, he highlighted the severe social and economic toll gambling takes on vulnerable populations, while noting that promised revenue windfalls rarely materialize as advertised.

​Reforming Alabama’s Healthcare Apparatus

​As a medical doctor, healthcare reform is central to Dr. Tankersley’s platform. He fiercely criticized the state's public health leadership and what he views as monopolistic overreach by major medical institutions, arguing that current legislative trends favor massive centralized systems at the expense of rural hospitals.

​To address rising costs, he called for increased competition to break the chokehold held by dominant insurance entities, noting that Alabamians have suffered some of the highest premium increases in the country over the last decade.

​Driving the MAHA Movement Forward

​Dr. Tankersley expressed strong support for the "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) philosophy, advocating for a shift toward nutritional education, localized food sourcing, and preventative care. He highlighted studies connecting dietary quality to cognitive function and behavior, suggesting that improving nutritional standards within public institutions could positively impact community wellness and lower historical public safety issues.

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