Doug Jones Launches Campaign for Alabama Governor

Former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., is once again attempting to win a statewide race in a deep red state. Jones announced he has filed the necessary paperwork to run for governor of Alabama on Monday. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., is running for the Republican nomination and is considered the front-runner. “Alabama wants their next governor to be someone who lives here, works here, listens to the people of this state, and understands the people of this state,” Jones said in an announcement video. “Alabama wants their next governor to be someone who treats this state with grace and dignity and not just like a rest stop on the way to the Florida beach.” Jones was elected to the Senate in 2017 after Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions resigned to become attorney general. Though Jones initially faced long odds, his Republican challenger, Roy Moore, was plagued by allegations of sexual misconduct toward young girls, and Jones won by two points. He was the first Democrat elected to the Senate since former Sen. Richard Shelby in 1992. Shelby later switched party and became a Republican. Jones was easily defeated for reelection by Tuberville, a former college football coach, in 2020, which Tuberville’s campaign noted in a statement. “Last time Doug Jones ran against Coach Tubville, it didn’t go well for Doug,” said Mallory Jaspers, the Tuberville campaign’s communications director to Politico. “Coach has spent the past six months building coalitions across the state, securing endorsements from every key player in Alabama politics, and shattering fundraising records.” “This race is already over — but if Comrade Doug wants to get blown out again, be our guest,” Jaspers added. Incumbent Republican Gov. Kay Ivey is term-limited. A Democrat has not been elected governor in the state since 1998, but the party is hopeful they can end the drought next year. “We’ve won in tough states like Kentucky, Kansas, and North Carolina in recent years and are watching Alabama closely,” said Kevin Donohoe, a spokesperson for the Democratic Governors Association to Politico. The Cook Political Report lists the race as “Solid Republican.” Jones faces Chad Martin, who runs a hemp business, and pastor Will Boyd in the Democratic primary. Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.