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Doug Jones Kicks Off Alabama Governor Campaign, Presses Lottery and Medicaid Expansion

The Democrat uses a Birmingham rally to frame a possible 2026 rematch with Tommy Tuberville.

Gubernatorial candidate former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., speaks during an event Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., and gubernatorial candidate speaks during an event Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., and gubernatorial candidate waits to speak during an event Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., and gubernatorial candidate speaks during an event Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Overview

  • Jones launched his bid at a Birmingham event headlined by Grammy winner Jason Isbell, who performed and endorsed him.
  • He outlined priorities including a state lottery, Medicaid expansion, protecting IVF and contraception, and redirecting state spending away from a costly new prison.
  • Jones targeted Tuberville’s Senate record, criticizing votes on Affordable Care Act subsidies and questioning the senator’s Alabama residency.
  • The governor’s office is open in 2026 because Gov. Kay Ivey is term-limited, and both parties hold primaries before the November election.
  • Jones, the last Democrat to win statewide in Alabama, acknowledged underdog status after his 2020 loss to Tuberville but argued voters deserve a competitive choice.