By Brian Lyman | Editor

We’ll have much more today on yesterday’s election — which as of this writing isn’t quite over — but in my 20 years covering Alabama politics, it’s by far the most surprising.

Alabama Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville speaks to supporters after declaring victory during an election night watch party at The Hotel at Auburn University on Nov. 3, 2026. (Larry Robinson for Alabama Reflector)

ELECTIONS 2026

By Anna Barrett

Republican nominee Tommy Tuberville Tuesday declared victory in the Alabama governor’s race, but Democratic nominee Doug Jones did not concede in what appeared to be the closest Alabama gubernatorial election in 24 years. Tuberville led Jones 52% to 48% early Wednesday morning, but Jones was waiting for tens of thousands of outstanding ballots in Democratic-leaning Jefferson County to be counted.

U.S. Congressman Shomari Figures, D-Montgomery, addresses the crowd during his Election Night watch party in Montgomery on Nov. 3, 2026. Figures won re-election to Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District Tuesday night. (Andrea Tinker/Alabama Reflector)

ELECTIONS 2026

By Andrea Tinker

U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Montgomery, won re-election in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, defeating Alabama Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, and overcoming a gerrymander of the district by the Alabama Legislature this spring. Figures emphasized work on affordability and tapped into anger among Alabamians over the U.S. Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais decision, which gutted the Voting Rights Act.

A sign saying "Vote here" is seen outside the Frank Brown Recreation Center in Auburn, Alabama on Nov. 3, 2026. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)

ELECTIONS 2026

By Anna Barrett, Ralph Chapoco, Ben Sessoms, Forrest Terrell and Andrea Tinker

The cost of living was on the minds of many Alabama voters as they cast ballots Tuesday, but national issues also came to the forefront. In 30 interviews over five counties, voters cited major concerns over inflation and paying for the needs of daily life. But voters also cited other concerns, from immigration and immigration enforcement to healthcare and governmental corruption.

ICYMI

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