Alabama Election: Tuberville Claims Governorship in 52-48 Split
Doug Jones concedes defeat in Birmingham but cites strong Democratic performance in congressional and state races.
By Rosa Fuentes ·
Tommy Tuberville will serve as the next governor of Alabama after defeating Democratic nominee Doug Jones. The Associated Press called the race when 95% of votes were in, showing Tuberville with 52.1% of the total against Jones' 47.9%.
Tuberville declared victory in Auburn on Tuesday night before the official call. Jones delayed his concession until Wednesday morning, telling supporters in Birmingham that a large volume of votes was still being counted. He described the early concession as premature.
The margin of defeat marks the closest statewide governor's race in Alabama since 2017. In that election, Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore for a U.S. Senate seat. AL.com reports that Jones earned more votes in this cycle than any Democrat in a non-presidential election in the state over the past decade.
Democrats secured both chambers of Congress on Tuesday. The party also won the governor's offices in Ohio and Texas. Jones pointed to this national momentum during a press conference, noting that Democrats had built new infrastructure and enthusiasm in Alabama.
Jones stated that the campaign aimed to give voters options after 20 years of Republican control. He argued that the effort would create a competitive political environment for the next two and four years. Tuberville, a six-term U.S. Senator, ran on a platform focused on job creation.
Tuberville's campaign outlined a strategy called "The Golden Age Playbook" to bring employment to rural and urban areas. Jones also prioritized economic growth, specifically targeting white-collar jobs for rural communities. Both candidates supported eliminating the state grocery tax.
A key policy difference centered on Medicaid expansion, which Jones championed as a cornerstone of his platform. Lisa McNair, a Jones supporter from rural Alabama, cited a lack of local hospitals and doctors as a primary driver for the need for expanded coverage. She recalled patients traveling to Birmingham during the pandemic for care.
Jones conceded the governor's race on Wednesday morning. He acknowledged that while the goal of winning the top office was not met, the objective of building a stronger political presence was achieved. He highlighted the reelection of Rep. Shomari Figures and Sen. Terri Sewell.
Jones also cited Democratic gains in the state legislature. Jared Sluss and Rudolph Valentino Drake flipped seats in the Alabama State Senate. Nell Brown and Allison Montgomery flipped seats in the Alabama State House. Jones said these results proved that voters in districts considered unwinnable did support Democratic candidates.
Jones congratulated Tuberville on his win. He urged Alabamians to remain involved in holding elected leaders accountable. The outcome of races for other state offices and judgeships is available on the Secretary of State's website.
