A.J. McCarron, the 35-year-old former Alabama quarterback who announced Thursday his candidacy for lieutenant governor, has never voted.
He registered to vote for the first time on Monday, three days ahead of his announcement, according to records obtained by Alabama Daily News.
McCarron’s nine-season NFL career took him to other states, including Ohio, Texas and Georgia. His campaign confirmed to ADN that McCarron’s Alabama voter registration is his first.
Asked if that should matter to voters, McCarron, in a written statement to ADN, said he is the “ultimate outsider candidate” and political newcomer inspired to run by the assassination last month of Charlie Kirk.
“Charlie Kirk’s words, actions, and sacrifice convinced me to get off of the sidelines and get into the game so we can ensure that Alabama remains a special place to live, work, worship and raise our children,” McCarron, the quarterback on Alabama’s 2012 and 2013 championship teams, said.
“I am convinced that in the months and years ahead, elections across the nation will be flooded with an army of outsiders and political newcomers like me who are motivated by Charlie Kirk’s example and the Christian conservative values he promoted so effectively.”
In his campaign announcement Thursday, McCarron said he publicly endorsed Donald Trump in 2016 when McCarron played for the Cincinnati Bengals. McCarron, who is from and resides in Mobile, also said he endorsed Spiro Cheriogotis in his successful recent campaign for mayor of Mobile.
“Now I am ready to fight the Montgomery insiders and career politicians and bring new leadership, a fresh perspective, and an outsider’s approach to solving problems in the Alabama State House.”
McCarron joins a crowded and competitive GOP field in the May 19 primary.
At least one established candidate is skeptical of McCarron’s lack of experience and political engagement.
“You won’t select a quarterback that’s never thrown a ball, so why would you elect a candidate that’s never cast a vote?” candidate Wes Allen, the current Alabama Secretary of State, told ADN. “I am proud to not only have endorsed President Trump, but to have voted for him in 2016, 2020 and 2024.
“Actions speak louder than words.”
Current Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth is term limited. The other GOP candidates so far are Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate, Nicole Wadsworth, Dean Odle and Patrick Bishop.
As of Friday, McCarron hadn’t filed campaign finance paperwork with the Alabama Secretary of State, according to online records. He’ll have to report any money raised this month on a report due in early November.
So far, Allen has led fundraising and has more than $612,000 on hand, according to the latest filings available. Pate had about $490,500 and Wadsworth nearly $174,600.
“This race just got interesting,” Ainsworth said Thursday following McCarron’s announcement.