The Alabama Retail PAC, the political action committee affiliated with the Alabama Retail Association, has announced its endorsements for the 2026 election cycle, backing candidates for statewide, judicial, legislative, and constitutional offices across Alabama.

According to the organization, its endorsements focus on candidates it believes understand the role retail plays in Alabama’s economy and support a pro-business climate.

“Retail is the heartbeat of Alabama’s economy, employing hundreds of thousands of Alabamians and serving every community,” said Melissa Cross, chairman of the Alabama Retail Association. “We are proud to endorse candidates who recognize this vital contribution and will give retailers’ interests a fair hearing.”

Constitutional office endorsements include:

• Tommy Tuberville — Governor (R-Auburn)
• Wes Allen — Lt. Governor (R-Troy)
• Caroleene Dobson — Secretary of State (R-Montgomery)
• Young Boozer — State Treasurer (R-Montgomery)
• Derek Chen — State Auditor (R-Montgomery)
• Jack Williams — Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries (R-Wilmer)

Judicial endorsements include:

• Justice Brad Mendheim — Alabama Supreme Court, Place 7 (R-Dothan)
• Judge Greg Shaw — Alabama Supreme Court, Place 8 (R-Vestavia Hills)
• Judge Ben Bowden — Court of Civil Appeals, Place 4 (R-Montgomery)
• Judge Matt Fridy — Court of Civil Appeals, Place 5 (R-Montevallo)
• Judge Mary Windom — Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 4 (R-Mobile)
• Judge Beth Kellum — Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 5 (R-Dothan)

State Senate endorsements include:

• Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman)
• Sen. Tim Melson (R-Florence)
• Sen. John Roberts (R-Mountain Brook)
• Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur)
• Sen. Matt Woods (R-Jasper)
• Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia)
• Sen. Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville)
• Sen. Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro)
• Sen. Wes Kitchens (R-Arab)
• Sen. Andrew Jones (R-Centre)
• Sen. Lance Bell (R-Pell City)
• Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Anniston)
• Sen. Randy Price (R-Opelika)
• Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield)
• Sen. Dan Roberts (R-Mountain Brook)
• Sen. J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills)
• Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville)
• Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D-Birmingham)
• Sen. Merika Coleman (D-Birmingham)
• Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison (D-Birmingham)
• Sen. Gerald Allen (R-Tuscaloosa)
• Sen. Greg Albritton (R-Range)
• Sen. Robert Stewart (D-Selma)
• Sen. Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro)
• Sen. Kirk Hatcher (D-Montgomery)
• Sen. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road)
• Sen. Jay Hovey (R-Auburn)
• Sen. Billy Beasley (D-Clayton)
• Sen. Donnie Chesteen (R-Geneva)
• Sen. Clyde Chambliss Jr. (R-Prattville)
• Sen. Josh Carnley (R-Ino)
• Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine)
• Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile)
• Sen. David Sessions (R-Grand Bay)

House endorsements include:

• Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville)
• Rep. Phillip Pettus (R-Killen)
• Rep. Ben Harrison (R-Elkmont)
• Rep. Kerry “Bubba” Underwood (R-Tuscumbia)
• Rep. Parker Moore (R-Hartselle)
• Rep. Danny Crawford (R-Athens)
• Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest)
• Rep. Scott Stadthagen (R-Hartselle)
• Rep. Marilyn Lands (D-Huntsville)
• Rep. Heath Allbright (R-Huntsville)
• Rep. Cindy Myrex (R-Cullman)
• Rep. Greg Barnes (R-Rogersville)
• Rep. Tim Wadsworth (R-Arley)
• Rep. Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena)
• Rep. Bryan Brinyark (R-Northport)
• Rep. Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville)
• Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville)
• Rep. James Lomax (R-Huntsville)
• Rep. Rex Reynolds (R-Huntsville)
• Rep. Ritchie Whorton (R-Owens Cross Roads)
• Rep. Mike Kirkland (R-Scottsboro)
• Rep. Phillip Rigsby (R-Huntsville)
• Rep. Brock Colvin (R-Albertville)
• Rep. Jeana Ross (R-Guntersville)
• Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City)
• Rep. Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff)
• Rep. Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden)
• Rep. Troy Stubbs (R-Wetumpka)
• Rep. Ben Robbins (R-Sylacauga)
• Rep. David Standridge (R-Hayden)
• Rep. Steve Hurst (R-Munford)
• Rep. Randy Wood (R-Anniston)
• Rep. Kristin Nelson (R-Dothan)
• Rep. Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg)
• Rep. Chad Robertson (R-Heflin)
• Rep. Corley Ellis (R-Columbiana)
• Rep. Van Smith (R-Clanton)
• Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Birmingham)
• Rep. Danny Garrett (R-Trussville)
• Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover)
• Rep. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook)
• Rep. Mike Shaw (R-Hoover)
• Rep. Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills)
• Rep. Russell Bedsole (R-Alabaster)
• Rep. Allen Treadaway (R-Morris)
• Rep. Kelvin Datcher (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville)
• Rep. Neil Rafferty (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Travis Hendrix (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Ontario Tillman (D-Bessemer)
• Rep. Patrick Sellers (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Rolanda Hollis (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Mary Moore (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham)
• Rep. Ron Bolton (R-Northport)
• Rep. Bill Lamb (R-Tuscaloosa)
• Rep. Norman Crow (R-Montgomery)
• Rep. Donna Givens (R-Loxley)
• Rep. Alan Baker (R-Brewton)
• Rep. Prince Chestnut (D-Selma)
• Rep. Thomas Jackson (D-Thomasville)
• Rep. Kelvin Lawrence (D-Hayneville)
• Rep. Christopher England (D-Tuscaloosa)
• Rep. Artis “A.J.” McCampbell (D-Demopolis)
• Rep. Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa)
• Rep. Kenneth Paschal (R-Pelham)
• Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Mathews)
• Rep. Patrice McClammy (D-Montgomery)
• Rep. TaShina Morris (D-Montgomery)
• Rep. Kenyatté Hassell (D-Montgomery)
• Rep. Joe Lovvorn (R-Auburn)
• Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City)
• Rep. Ed Oliver (D-Dadeville)
• Rep. Pebblin Warren (D-Tuskegee)
• Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika)
• Rep. Berry Forte (D-Eufaula)
• Rep. Rick Rehm (R-Dothan)
• Rep. Paul Lee (R-Dothan)
• Rep. Jeff Sorrells (R-Hartford)
• Rep. Jerry Starnes (R-Prattville)
• Rep. Marcus Paramore (R-Troy)
• Rep. Chris Sells (R-Greenville)
• Rep. Matthew Hammett (R-Dothan)
• Rep. Steve Clouse (R-Ozark)
• Rep. Jennifer Fidler (R-Fairhope)
• Rep. Frances Holk-Jones (R-Foley)
• Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne)
• Rep. Adline Clarke (D-Mobile)
• Rep. Napoleon Bracy Jr. (D-Mobile)
• Rep. Sam Jones (D-Mobile)
• Rep. Mark Shirey (R-Mobile)
• Rep. Chris Pringle (R-Mobile)
• Rep. Shane Stringer (R-Citronelle)
• Rep. Barbara Drummond (D-Mobile)
• Rep. Margie Wilcox (R-Mobile)
• Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollingers Island)

“These candidates are familiar with the challenges facing Alabama’s retail industry and the broader business community,” said Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association. “These candidates know that when retail succeeds, communities thrive.”

The Alabama Retail Association represents retailers statewide and advocates on legislative and regulatory issues affecting the industry.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].

Super Bowl 60 isn’t just a championship game; it’s a full-day event built around history, star power and a familiar matchup with unfinished business.

The New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will meet again on the NFL’s biggest stage Sunday, Feb. 8, nearly 12 years after their unforgettable Super Bowl 49 showdown ended with Malcolm Butler’s goal-line interception sealing a 28-24 Patriots win.

This time, the Seahawks enter Super Bowl 60 as the betting favorites, looking to slip the script at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

From an all-day program slate to a halftime show headlined by global superstar Bad Bunny, here’s everything NFL fans in Alabama need to know about the Super Bowl 60 schedule.

Super Bowl LX 2026: Game date, start time and broadcast info

• Matchup: New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks
• Date: Sunday, Feb. 8.
• Time: 5:30 p.m. Alabama local time (3:30 p.m. SBXL local time)
• TV channel: NBC
• Streaming: Peacock, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV
• Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California

Complete Super Bowl 60 schedule of events—All Alabama local time (CST)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama has scheduled a March execution date for a man sentenced to death for a fatal shooting during a 1991 robbery even though he didn’t pulled the trigger.

Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday set a March 12 execution using nitrogen gas for Charles “Sonny” Burton, 75. Burton was convicted as an accomplice in the shooting death of Doug Battle, a customer who was killed during an Aug. 16 robbery that year of an auto parts store in Talladega.

Burton did not shoot Battle and was not in the AutoZone store at the time of the fatal shooting. However, prosecutors depicted him as the ringleader of the robbery and sought a death sentence for him. Derrick DeBruce, the man who fired the gun also was sentenced to death but later had his sentence reduced to life imprisonment and died in prison.

A cross-section of people, including one of the victim’s children and some jurors, had urged the governor to consider clemency for Burton. They argued it would be unfair to execute Burton when the triggerman ended up receiving a lesser sentence.

“We are very disappointed that Governor Ivey has opted to set an execution date for Mr. Burton. But we hope and pray that she, like Oklahoma Governor Stitt did in November, still changes her mind and stops this unjust execution of a man who has never taken a life,” Matt Schulz, Burton’s attorney, said.

In the letter notifying the prison commissioner of the date, Ivey wrote that she has no current plans to grant clemency but maintains the authority to “grant a reprieve or commutation, if necessary, at any time before the execution is carried out.”

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office had opposed the clemency request. His office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

“Burton was convicted of capital murder in April 1992 and the jury unanimously recommended the death penalty. That conviction and sentence have been upheld at every level,” a spokesperson for the office said in an earlier statement.

Schulz noted that in seeking to uphold a death sentence for DeBruce, the state had argued in a 2015 court filing that its would be “arguably unjust” to affirm a death sentence for Burton but not the person who killed Battle.

Ivey has granted clemency once since taking office in 2017.