The 2026 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election will take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the next lieutenant governor of Alabama. Primary elections were held on May 19, and the primary runoff election was held on June 16. Incumbent Will Ainsworth is term-limited and ineligible to seek a third full consecutive term.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee John Wahl, former chair of the Alabama Republican Party (2021–2026) Eliminated in runoff Wes Allen, secretary of state (2023–present) Eliminated in primary Patrick Bishop, Cullman County deputy George Childress, community advocate Rick Pate, commissioner of agriculture and industries (2019–present) Stewart Tankersley, physician and former member of the Alabama Ethics Commission Nicole Wadsworth, commercial realtor and wife of state representative Tim Wadsworth
Disqualified Dean Odle, pastor and candidate for governor in 2022
Withdrawn A. J. McCarron, former professional football player and head coach of the Birmingham Stallions
Declined Mo Brooks, former U.S. representative from (2011–2023) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2017 and 2022 Steve Marshall, Attorney General (2017–present) (unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate)
Campaign Nicole Wadsworth's campaign was the first to attract media attention following a request that was sent out to news organizations, in which her campaign requested that she be called "Dr. Nicole Wadsworth". The AP Stylebook, which many organizations use to dictate how to write news articles, says that only medical doctors should be referred to as such. The next week, her campaign announced that they had made an error listing her credentials and that she had not received as PhD from the University of Alabama, but instead from the North Central Theological Seminary. That school had not been accredited by any organizations recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Her entire campaign staff resigned following the report. Later in June, her lawyers requested that 1819 News take down all stories relating to her academic credentials.
Wes Allen has campaigned on his record as Secretary of State, especially his efforts to purge voter rolls. Following A. J. McCarron's entry into the race, Allen stated that "I have a solid record."
McCarron made his first campaign appearance in November, at an Eastern Shore Republican Women's luncheon. He did not make public comments, and his campaign representative stated that McCarron would be announcing his campaign initiatives soon. Allen was the only other candidate who attended the luncheon. McCarron withdrew from the race in December to become the head coach for the Birmingham Stallions.
AL.com first reported on a potential candidacy from John Wahl, the chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, in April 2025 after Steve Flowers mentioned Wahl as a potential candidate in 2026. Wahl confirmed to 1819 News that he was exploring a campaign for lieutenant governor in May 2025, and 256 Today reported that he was still considering it as of November 2025. Despite Wahl never formally announcing a campaign between then and January 2026, president Donald Trump endorsed Wahl as a possible candidate for lieutenant governor through a Truth Social post on January 22, 2026, shortly before candidate qualifying closed the next day. He qualified to run on January 23, and raised over $1 million in the first twelve days of his campaign.
Endorsements
Debates and forums + 2026 Alabama Republican lieutenant governor primary debates and forums Date Host Moderator Link Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican RepublicanKey: Participant Absent Not invited Invited Withdrawn Allen Bishop Childress Pate Tankersley Wadsworth Wahl1 March 3, 2026 Republican Womenof Huntsville Bryan Dawson N/A 2 March 12, 2026 Eastern ShoreRepublican Women N/A N/A 3 March 25, 2026University of AlabamaCollege Republicans Jeff Poor N/A
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of May 18, 2026CandidateRaisedOther receiptsSpentCash on handWes Allen (R)$1,626,000$269,830$1,508,223$387,606Patrick Bishop (R)$8,373$6,733$13,365$1,742Rick Pate (R)$473,752$250,000$559,741$164,011Stewart Tankersley (R)$97,395$48$95,439$2,003Nicole Wadsworth (R)$196,205$242,000$270,480$167,724John Wahl (R)$2,088,913$60,000$1,516,450$382,462Source: Alabama FCPA
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error WesAllen PatrickBishop A.J.McCarron RickPate StewartTankersley NicoleWadsworth JohnWahl Other UndecidedRemington Research Group (R)May 5–7, 2026589 (LV)± –29%2%4%2%3%12%1%46%Cygnal (R)April 29–30, 2026500 (LV)± 4.4%18%2%4%2%4%13%56%American Pulse Research (R)March 30–April 1, 2026505 (LV)± 4.4%16%3%9%6%66%The Alabama PollMarch 22–24, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%19%9%5%7%60%The Alabama PollFebruary 1–4, 2026500 (LV)± 4.4%23%6%6%6%59% December 17, 2025McCarron withdraws from the raceThe Alabama PollDecember 15, 2025600 (LV)± 4.0%18%31%8%2%41%The Alabama PollAugust 24–26, 2025600 (LV)± 4.0%28%12%61%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error WesAllen A.J.McCarron JohnMerrill RickPate NicoleWadsworth Other UndecidedQuantus Insights (R)October 13–14, 20251,050 (RV)± 3.2%26%14%10%9%2%4%36%
Results
Runoff Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of June 15, 2026CandidateRaisedOther receiptsSpentCash on handWes Allen (R)$2,626,060$269,830$2,728,183$177,706John Wahl (R)$2,844,303$152,500$2,541,477$455,325Source: Alabama FCPA
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error WesAllen JohnWahl UndecidedThe Alabama PollMay 28, 2026600 (LV)± 4.0%42%38%20%AM Research GroupMay 23–24, 20262,144 (LV)± 3.0%34%47%19%
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Phillip Ensler, state representative from the 74th district (2022–present) Eliminated in primary Darryl Perryman, former Clarke County school board member
Endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of May 18, 2026CandidateRaisedOther receiptsSpentCash on handPhillip Ensler (D)$197,954$91$119,286$78,759Darryl Perryman (D)$150$0$2,403$-2,253Source: Alabama FCPA
Campaign Ensler announced his run for lieutenant governor in December 2025. He described Doug Jones' entry into the 2026 Alabama gubernatorial election as an inspiration for his decision. His lone opponent, Darryl Perryman, qualified to run in January 2026.
Results
General election Post-primary endorsements
Fundraising Campaign finance reports as of September 30, 2026CandidateRaisedOther receiptsSpentCash on handJohn Wahl (R)$3,499,561$157,701$3,308,914$348,349Phillip Ensler (D)$420,458$10,091$275,861$154,688Source: Alabama FCPA
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error JohnWahl (R) PhillipEnsler (D) UndecidedRMG Research (R)September 21–25, 2026800 (RV)± 3.5%49%33%18%
Results
Notes
Partisan clients
References
External links Official campaign websites Phillip Ensler (D) for Lieutenant Governor John Wahl (R) for Lieutenant Governor