Doug Jones Launches Alabama Governor Bid, Citing State's Affordability Crisis

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones kicked off his campaign for Alabama governor on Friday, emphasizing the need for a leader who can address the state's pressing economic, healthcare, and educational issues. Jones, the last Democrat to hold statewide office in Alabama, said voters deserve a choice and a leader who will put aside divisions to tackle the state's urgent problems. Jones announced his candidacy at a packed campaign rally in Birmingham, featuring musician Jason Isbell, on the eighth anniversary of his stunning 2017 win over Republican Roy Moore. The campaign kickoff sets up a possible rematch with Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who defeated Jones by 20 points in 2020 and is also running for governor. Both candidates will face party primaries in May. The immediate impact of Jones' announcement is a renewed focus on the state's affordability crisis, with many Alabamians struggling to make ends meet. Jones' campaign promises to address these issues, which he believes are not being adequately addressed by current public officials. In the background, Jones' 2017 Senate win marked a rare instance of Alabama defying the traditional red and blue state labels. His campaign message then, which emphasized the importance of Alabama values over party politics, resonated with voters. Now, Jones is seeking to tap into that same sentiment, urging Alabamians to demand better from their leaders. As the 2024 election season heats up, Jones' entry into the governor's race will likely have significant implications for Alabama politics. With party primaries set for May, the stage is now set for a potentially contentious campaign season.