Tuscaloosa Mayor Shuts Down Rumors of Gubernatorial Run After False Post

Tuscaloosa's Mayor Walt Maddox is not running for governor - a fact he made emphatically clear after a false post from a west Alabama politician claimed he'd seek the office as an Independent.

Albert Turner Jr., a County Commissioner in neighboring Perry County, made the false assertion on Facebook Monday, claiming without evidence that Maddox would seek the higher office during elections planned for November 2026.

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Though Maddox ran for governor in 2018 as a Democrat, he was fairly comfortably defeated by incumbent Republican Kay Ivey and on Tuesday, the mayor quickly shot down the idea that he is interested in trying again next year as an Independent or anything else.

“Tuscaloosa means too much to my family and me to pursue the governorship. Personally and professionally, I have never been happier," Maddox told the Thread. Being a mayor, you can still make a positive difference without the noise and nonsense of partisan politics. This is where we need to be.”

Alabama's Republican US Senator and former Auburn football Coach Tommy Tuberville has announced his intent to run for the governor's office, and insurance executive Ken McFeeters declared that he will challenge Tuberville in a primary for the Republican nomination. 

For new coverage of news in west Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.