Alabama gubernatorial candidates focused on November election date just hours after primaries

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WSFA) – Republican voters chose Sen. Tommy Tuberville, and Democrats picked former Sen. Doug Jones in Tuesday’s primary election, setting up a political rematch in the race at the top of the ballot.

Tuberville and Jones first faced off in the 2020 U.S. Senate race. Both spent primary night in Birmingham holding separate election parties, and while their messages to voters differed, each said the push to November begins immediately.

“We’re going to go out for the next 4-5 months and we’re going to ask people what is your biggest need,” Tuberville said. “What do you want to do to make your life better? What are you missing?”

Jones told supporters his campaign is building toward the general election.

“You’re going to hear me say it a lot between now and November. We’re building that house,” Jones said. “This is the crew right here, that tonight is laying the foundation to build that house that Alabama deserves.”

A day after the primary, both nominees were on the move. Tuberville traveled back to Washington, D.C., and Jones met with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who was in Birmingham in support of the Jones campaign.

“We need your commitment to engage not just today, or tomorrow, or through November when we win this ticket,” Jones said.

“When we win in November, we’re going to need you to engage every day of every week of every month.”

Tuberville also emphasized not taking the general election for granted.

“It is going to be hard for the next 4-5 months, we are going to take nothing for granted,” Tuberville said. “You never have anything won. You go out and do it the hard way. You shake hands and tell people what you’re going to do, but you also ask them questions while you’re doing it. ‘What do you need?’”

Both candidates echoed a similar theme moving forward: preventing Alabama’s young people from leaving the state after they graduate.

Not reading this story on the WSFA News App? Get news alerts FASTER and FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store!

Sign up for the WSFA Newsletter and get the latest local news and breaking alerts in your email!