2025 question: Who will replace Alabama Governor Kay Ivey?

MONTGOMERY, Alabama (WDEF) – The coming months should begin to answer the biggest question in Alabama politics this year.

Who will replace Kay Ivey in the Governor’s mansion?

Ivey will leave office in 2026 because of term limits.

So a wide-open race looms for the Republican-dominated state.

On New Year’s Ever, one of the leading contenders announced he would NOT run.

Alabama attorney General Steve Marshall said he was “definitely not running.”

But AL.com is floating several other potential candidates who could make their own announcements in the next few months.

Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth

Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth
— “the only position I’d have an interest in running for”

—  strong Biden opponent and Trump supporter

— Arab, Alabama

Kent Davis
— “I’m strongly considering it”

— ex-Veterans Commissioner removed after dispute with Gov. Ivey

— Montgomery, AL

Rick Pate

RICK PATE

— “I’m not ruling it out”

— Agriculture Commissioner

— Lowndesboro, AL

Tommy Tubberville

But the real wild card here could be current U.S. Senator Tommy Tubberville.

His term is also up next year, but he has said he plans to run for re-election because Republicans will be in the majority this time.

But the former Auburn football coach is 70 years old and would be signing up for another 6 years in the Senate.

There has been growing sentiment back in Alabama for him to run for Governor instead.