State Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, will not run for Alabama attorney general in 2026, he told Alabama Daily News over the weekend.
Orr, who chairs the powerful Senate education budget committee, has been on lists of prospective candidates to be the next top law enforcement official in the state.
Current Attorney General Steve Marshall is term-limited. An attorney and high-profile lawmaker known for conservative principles and spending policies, Orr is often asked what might be next.
“After much prayer and reflection, I will not be a candidate for the position of state attorney general in 2026,” Orr, first elected to the Senate in 2006, told ADN. “It is always humbling to be solicited to run for a higher office by, quite frankly, numerous others that I respect that have called, emailed and made other contacts of future support over the past year.
“However, there is still much to do in the Senate and I remain focused on the job at hand.”
Orr will lead in the Senate in the upcoming session the crafting of the state’s next $9-plus billion education budget. In the last year, he’s also helped initiate a serious discussion about changing how public schools in the state are funded.
Last year, Orr sponsored in the Senate the school choice legislation that starting this fall will let families use up to $7,000 in public funds at private schools or on other education expenses.
When the Senate gavels in next month, it will have new leadership under Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger.
“We have a new senate leader and my colleagues and I, particularly those of us on the leadership team, will all need to work hard to make sure we have a smooth transition and a productive 2025 Regular Legislative Session for the people of Alabama,” Orr said.
In 2022, Orr easily defeated a Libertarian candidate for the Senate seat, receiving nearly 87% of the vote. He was unopposed in 2018, 2014 and 2010. Senate District 3 includes Morgan County and portions of Limestone and Madison counties.
The 2026 primary election is May 26 and candidates for state offices can begin raising funds a year prior.