Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate is seriously considering a run for lieutenant governor in 2026 and will make an official announcement in early June, potentially broadening the expected GOP primary field.
Pate, a Republican, was last year an early name on the list of possible 2026 gubernatorial candidates.
The likely bid by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is a deterrent for Pate, who said competing with Tuberville’s name recognition would be prohibitively expensive, Pate told Alabama Daily News Wednesday.
“I feel confident that he’s planning on running for governor,” Pate said. A Tuberville announcement is expected early next week.
Current Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, who is term limited, announced Wednesday morning he won’t be running for governor either.
Pate is term limited in his current state office.
“I just feel like I have something left to give,” Pate said about leaning toward a bid for lieutenant governor.
Pate cited his good relationships with many Alabama senators as part of the draw to presiding over that chamber.
“I feel like I could be of value there,” Pate said.
Pate is from Lowndes County and was the mayor of Lowndesboro for 14 years before taking his current role. He previously owned Pate Landscaping Co. and raised cattle.
Pate said he’s spoken with current Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, who in February announced his bid for lieutenant governor.
Twinkle Cavanaugh, the current Alabama Public Service Commission president, told ADN Wednesday she will make an announcement early next week about her next political run. Cavanaugh ran against Ainsworth in 2018 for lieutenant governor.
Nicole Wadsworth, an economic developer from north Alabama, is expected to announce Thursday that she will also run for lieutenant governor.
Candidates for state office in 2026 were able to begin accepting campaign donations this week. Allen kicked off his fundraising in late April with a $10,000 loan to his campaign, according to records. He also had about $50,000 in his secretary of state campaign account in late 2024, the latest required filing. That’s money he could spend on his next race.
Similarly, Pate had about $134,500 leftover from his last ag commissioner bid, according to the 2024 filing. Cavanaugh had about $130,000 on hand at the end of 2024.