2022 Alabama gubernatorial election
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The 2022 Alabama gubernatorial election took place on November 8, 2022. Incumbent Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, took office in 2017 upon the resignation of Robert J. Bentley (R) and won a full term in 2018. In 2022, she won her bid for a second full term in a landslide.[1]
November 8, 2022
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| Turnout | 38.50% | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Ivey: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Flowers: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% | |||||||||||||||||
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Primary elections in Alabama were held on May 24. Runoff elections for instances where no candidate received 50% plus one vote were scheduled for June 21. A runoff was avoided in the Republican primary, with Ivey winning outright. The Democratic primary advanced to a runoff between Malika Sanders-Fortier and Yolanda Flowers, with Flowers winning the Democratic nomination.
This was the first gubernatorial election in Alabama history in which both major party nominees were women. Flowers was also the first Black female gubernatorial nominee in Alabama history.[2] Governor Ivey was sworn in for her second full term on January 16, 2023.[3]
Republican primary

Candidates
Nominee
- Kay Ivey, incumbent governor of Alabama[4]
Eliminated in primary
- Lynda Blanchard, former United States Ambassador to Slovenia (2019–2021) and former candidate for U.S. Senate in 2022[5][6][7]
- Lew Burdette, president of women and youth shelter King's Home in Chelsea[8]
- Stacy Lee George, corrections officer, former Morgan County commissioner, and candidate for governor in 2014 and 2018[9]
- Tim James, businessman, son of former governor Fob James, and candidate for governor in 2002 and 2010[10]
- Donald Trent Jones, yoga instructor[11][12]
- Dean Odle, pastor, author, founder and dean of a ministry school[13]
- Dave Thomas, mayor of Springville (2020–present) and former state representative (1994–2002)[14][15]
- Dean Young, businessman and perennial candidate[16]
Declined
- Will Ainsworth, incumbent lieutenant governor (seeking re-election)[17]
- Mo Brooks, U.S. representative (running for U.S. Senate)[18]
- Steve Marshall, incumbent attorney general of Alabama (seeking re-election)[19]
- Rick Pate, incumbent commissioner of Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (seeking re-election)[19]
- Jim Zeigler, incumbent Alabama state auditor (2015–present) (formed exploratory committee but did not run; running for Secretary of State)[20][21][22][23]
Endorsements
Individuals
- James Henderson, head of Christian Pro-Life Council, radio show host and former pastor[24]
- Mike Lindell, founder of MyPillow and conspiracy theorist[25]
Organizations
Individuals
- Randy Howell, competitive fisherman and 2014 Bassmaster Classic winner[27]
- Leland Whaley, conservative talk radio host of Leland Live[28]
- Yaffee, conservative talk radio host of The Yaffee Program and Yellowhammer News contributor[29]
State executives
- Will Ainsworth, incumbent lieutenant governor of Alabama (2019–present)[30]
State senators
- Tom Butler, Alabama state senator for District 2 (Madison, 2018–present)[31]
- Garlan Gudger, Alabama state senator for District 4 (Cullman, 2018-present)[32]
- Andrew Jones, Alabama state senator for District 10 (Centre, 2018-present)[32]
- Steve Livingston, Alabama state senator for District 8 (Scottsboro, 2014-present)[32]
- Jim McClendon, Alabama state senator for District 11 (Springville, 2014-present)[33]
- Tim Melson, Alabama state senator for District 1 (Florence, 2014–present)[31]
- Arthur Orr, Alabama state senator for District 3 (Decatur, 2006-present)[32]
- Greg Reed, president pro tempore of the Alabama Senate, Alabama state senator for District 5 (Jasper, 2010–present)[34]
- Clay Scofield, majority leader of the Alabama Senate, Alabama state senator for District 9 (Guntersville, 2010-present)[35]
- J. T. Waggoner, Alabama state senator for District 16 (Vestavia Hills, 1990–present)[30]
State representatives
- Russell Bedsole, Alabama state representative for District 49 (Brierfield, 2018-present)[33]
- K.L. Brown, Alabama state representative for District 40 (Jacksonville, 2010-present)[33]
- Terri Collins, Alabama state representative for District 8 (Decatur, 2010–present)[31]
- Danny Crawford, Alabama state representative for District 5 (Athens, 2016–present)[31]
- Dickie Drake, Alabama state representative for District 45 (Leeds, 2011-present)[33]
- Corley Ellis, Alabama state representative for District 41 (Columbiana, 2018-present)[33]
- Tracy Estes, Alabama state representative for District 17 (Winfield, 2018-present)[33]
- David Faulkner, Alabama state representative for District 46 (Mountain Brook, 2014-present)[33]
- Danny Garrett, Alabama state representative for District 44 (Trussville, 2014-present)[33]
- Lynn Greer, Alabama state representative for District 2 (Rogersville, 2002–present)[31]
- Jim Hill, Alabama state representative for District 50 (Moody, 2014-present)[33]
- Steve Hurst, Alabama state representative for District 35 (Munford, 1998-present)[33]
- Wes Kitchens, Alabama state representative for District 27 (Arab, 2018-present)[32]
- Nathaniel Ledbetter, majority leader of the Alabama House of Representatives, Alabama state representative for District 24 (Rainsville, 2014-present)[35]
- Craig Lipscomb, Alabama state representative for District 30 (Gadsden, 2018-present)[33]
- Mac McCutcheon, Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, Alabama state representative for District 25 (Monrovia, 2006-present)[36]
- Parker Moore, Alabama state representative for District 4 (Decatur, 2018–present)[31]
- Rex Reynolds, Alabama state representative for District 21 (Huntsville, 2018–present)[31]
- Kerry Rich, Alabama state representative for District 26 (Albertville, 2018-present)[32]
- Ben Robbins, Alabama state representative for District 33 (Sylacauga, 2018-present)[33]
- Proncey Robertson, Alabama state representative for District 7 (Mount Hope, 2018–present)[31]
- Howard Sanderford, Alabama state representative for District 20 (Huntsville, 1989–present)[31]
- Ginny Shaver, Alabama state representative for District 39 (Leesburg, 2018-present)[33]
- Randall Shedd, Alabama state representative for District 11 (Cullman, 2013-present)[32]
- Kyle South, Alabama state representative for District 16 (Fayette, 2014-present)[33]
- Scott Stadthagen, Alabama state representative for District 9 (Hartselle, 2018-present)[32]
- David Standridge, Alabama state representative for District 34 (Hayden, 2010-present)[32]
- Rodney Sullivan, Alabama state representative for District 61 (Northport, 2018-present)[33]
- Tim Wadsworth, Alabama state representative for District 14 (Arley, 2014-present)[33]
- Andy Whitt, Alabama state representative for District 6 (Harvest, 2018–present)[31]
- Randy Wood, Alabama state representative for District 36 (Anniston, 2002-present)[33]
Mayors
- Ron Anders, mayor of Auburn (2018–present)[37]
- Woody Baird, mayor of Alexander City (2020–present)[37]
- Ed Beasley, mayor of Luverne (2016–present)[38]
- Mark Blankenship, mayor of Ozark (2020–present)[38]
- Becky Bracke, mayor of Opp (2017–present)[38]
- Bubba Copeland, mayor of Smiths Station (2016–2023)[37]
- Gary Fuller, mayor of Opelika (2004–present)[37]
- David Hayes, mayor of Geneva (2020–present)[38]
- Earl Johnson, mayor of Andalusia (2000–present)[38]
- Tommy Miller, mayor of Notasulga (2013–present)[37]
- Jimmy Money, mayor of Abbeville (2020–present)[38]
- Jason Reeves, mayor of Troy (2012–present)[38]
- Mark Saliba, mayor of Dothan (2017–present)[38]
- Sandy Stimpson, mayor of Mobile (2013–present)[39]
Law enforcement
- 31 county sheriffs and police chiefs[40]
Organizations
- Alabama Association of Realtors[41]
- Alabama Forestry Association[42]
- Business Council of Alabama[43]
- Coastal 150[44]
- League of Southeastern Credit Unions[45]
- Manufacture Alabama[46]
- National Right to Life[47]
- NRA Political Victory Fund[48][49]
PACs
- Alabama RetailPAC[50]
- Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund[51]
State senators
- Larry Stutts, Alabama state senator for District 6 (Tuscumbia, 2014–present)[31]
State representatives
- Tommy Hanes, Alabama state representative for District 23 (Bryant, 2014–present)[52]
- Mike Holmes, Alabama state representative for District 31 (Wetumpka, 2014–present)[53]
- Ritchie Whorton, Alabama state representative for District 22 (Owens Cross Roads, 2014–present)[54]
- Rich Wingo, Alabama state representative for District 62 (Tuscaloosa, 2015–present)[55]
Individuals
- Bill Armistead, chairman of the Alabama Republican Party (2011–2015), former Alabama state senator for District 14 (1995–2003)[56] (James' campaign chairman)[57]
- Dale Jackson, conservative talk radio host of The Dale Jackson Show and Yellowhammer News contributor[58]
- Luke Lawson, governor of Alabama Alabama Boys State, and political activist (Democratic)
- Betty Peters, former member of the Alabama State Board of Education (2003–2019)[59]
Political parties
Organizations
- Alabama Christian Education Association[61]
- American Family Association Action[62]
- Christian Conservatives of Alabama[63]
PACs
- Coal Miners Political Action Committee[64]
Individuals
- Beatrice Nichols, Republican nominee for Alabama's 7th congressional district in 2022[65]
- Troy Towns, former vice chair and former director of minority outreach for the Alabama Republican Party[66]
Newspapers
- The Highland Park Review[67]
Businesses
- Pigfarm Gun Range[68]
Organizations
Debates and forums
| No. | Date | Location | Host | Moderator | Link | Participants | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P Participant A Absent N Non-invitee I Invitee W Withdrawn | ||||||||||||||
| Blanchard | Burdette | George | Ivey | James | Jones | Odle | Thomas | Young | ||||||
| 1[73] | Jan 19, 2022 | Enterprise | Coffee County Republican Women | Jan White | [74][75] | P | A | A | A | P | A | P | A | A |
| 2[76] | Feb 01, 2022 | Huntsville | Republican Women of Huntsville | Terri Terrell | [77] | P | P | A | A | P | A | P | A | A |
| 3[78] | Feb 10, 2022 | Fairhope | Eastern Shore Republican Women | Jeff Poor | N/A | P | P | A | A | P | P | P | P | P |
| 4[79] | Feb 10, 2022 | Dothan | Houston County Republican Party | Brandon Shoupe | [80] | P | A | A | A | P | A | P | A | A |
| 5[81] | Feb 28, 2022 | Greenville | Butler County Republican Party | N/A | N/A | P | P | A | A | P | A | P | A | A |
| 6[82] | Mar 07, 2022 | Athens | Athens-Limestone Republican Women | Tracy Smith | N/A | P | A | A | A | P | A | P | A | A |
| 7[83] | Mar 10, 2022 | Hoover | LOCAL Alabama | Allison Sinclair Stephanie Smith |
[84] | P | P | A | A | P | A | P | P | A |
| 8[85] | Apr 12, 2022 | Cullman | Cullman County Republican Women | Charlotte Covert | [86] | P | P | A | A | P | P | P | P | A |
| 9[87] | Apr 26, 2022 | Huntsville | Focus on America | Scott Beason Rebecca Rogers |
[88] | P | P | A | A | P | P | P | P | A |
| 10[89] | May 11, 2022 | Prattville | Autauga County Republican Party | John Wahl | [90] | P | P | A | A | A | P | P | A | A |
| 11[91] | May 14, 2022 | Vestavia Hills | Mid Alabama Republican Club | N/A | N/A | P | P | A | A | A | A | P | A | P |
Polling
Graphical summary
Aggregate polls
| Source of poll aggregation |
Dates administered |
Dates updated |
Lynda Blanchard |
Lew Burdette |
Kay Ivey |
Tim James |
Dean Odle |
Dean Young |
Other [a] |
Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Clear Politics[92] | May 15–21, 2022 | May 24, 2022 | 14.3% | 7.7% | 49.3% | 18.0% | 2.7% | 1.3% | 5.7% | Ivey +31.3 |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Lynda Blanchard |
Lew Burdette |
Stacy George |
Kay Ivey |
Tim James |
Donald Jones |
Dean Odle |
Dave Thomas |
Dean Young |
Jim Zeigler |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Trafalgar Group (R)[93] | May 18–21, 2022 | 1,060 (LV) | ± 2.9% | 17% | 7% | – | 47% | 17% | – | 3% | – | 3% | – | 1% | 6% |
| McLaughlin & Associates (R)[94][A] | May 16–19, 2022 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 17% | 8% | – | 45% | 18% | – | 4% | – | – | – | – | 9% |
| Cygnal (R)[95] | May 15–16, 2022 | 634 (LV) | ± 3.9% | 13% | 8% | – | 48% | 16% | – | 2% | – | 0% | – | 2% | 11% |
| Emerson College[96] | May 15–16, 2022 | 706 (LV) | ± 3.6% | 11% | 7% | 0% | 46% | 17% | 0% | 3% | 0% | 0% | – | – | 15% |
| McLaughlin & Associates (R)[97][A] | May 9–12, 2022 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 15% | 8% | – | 52% | 15% | – | 3% | – | – | – | – | 7% |
| Cygnal (R)[98] | May 6–7, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 15% | 6% | – | 40% | 18% | – | 4% | – | 1% | – | 4% | 14% |
| The Tarrance Group (R)[99][B] | April 18–20, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.1% | 14% | – | – | 57% | 12% | – | – | – | – | – | 5% | 12% |
| Emerson College[100] | March 25–27, 2022 | 687 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 8% | 4% | 0% | 48% | 11% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% | – | – | 22% |
| Cygnal (R)[101] | March 16–17, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 10% | 2% | – | 46% | 12% | – | 5% | – | – | – | 3% | 21% |
| Wisemen Consulting (R)[102] | March 15–17, 2022 | 905 (LV) | ± 3.4% | 12% | 2% | 1% | 58% | 16% | <1% | 1% | <1% | <1% | – | – | 9% |
| McLaughlin & Associates (R)[103][A] | March 10–13, 2022 | 500 (LV) | ± 4.4% | 11% | – | 1% | 60% | 14% | – | – | – | – | – | – | 14% |
| 1892 Polling (R)[104][B] | March 8–10, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 8% | – | – | 60% | 13% | – | – | – | – | – | 6% | 13% |
| The Tarrance Group (R)[105][B] | February 28 – March 2, 2022 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.1% | 10% | – | – | 61% | 13% | – | – | – | – | – | 4% | 12% |
| Cherry Communications (R)[106][C] | February 2–6, 2022 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 10% | – | – | 55% | 11% | – | – | – | – | – | 2% | 22% |
| Cygnal (R)[107] | August 17–18, 2021 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | – | – | – | 42% | 4% | – | 3% | – | – | 9% | 9% | 34% |
Primary results

- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kay Ivey (incumbent) | 357,069 | 54.45% | |
| Republican | Lynda Blanchard | 126,202 | 19.25% | |
| Republican | Tim James | 106,181 | 16.19% | |
| Republican | Lew Burdette | 42,924 | 6.55% | |
| Republican | Dean Odle | 11,767 | 1.79% | |
| Republican | Donald Trent Jones | 3,821 | 0.58% | |
| Republican | Dave Thomas | 2,886 | 0.44% | |
| Republican | Stacy Lee George | 2,546 | 0.39% | |
| Republican | Dean Young | 2,356 | 0.36% | |
| Total votes | 655,752 | 100.0% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in runoff
- Malika Sanders-Fortier, attorney and state senator from the 23rd District (2018–2022)[112]
Eliminated in primary
- Patricia Salter Jamieson, nurse and licensed minister[109]
- Arthur Kennedy, Army veteran and educator[12][113]
- Chad "Chig" Martin, small business owner, musician and independent candidate for governor in 2018[114] (switched from independent)[115][116]
- Doug "New Blue" Smith, developmental economist, retired corporate attorney and perennial candidate[11][12][117]
Failed to qualify
- Christopher A. Countryman, equality activist, licensed minister, motivational speaker, former juvenile corrections officer and candidate for governor in 2018[118]
Declined
- Walt Maddox, mayor of Tuscaloosa and nominee for governor in 2018[119]
Endorsements
Organizations
Organizations
- Alabama New South Alliance[121]
First round
Debates and forums
| No. | Date | Location | Host | Moderator | Link | Participants | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P Participant A Absent N Non-invitee I Invitee W Withdrawn | ||||||||||||||
| Flowers | Kennedy | Martin | Salter | Sanders- Fortier |
Smith | |||||||||
| 1[83] | Mar 10, 2022 | Hoover | LOCAL Alabama | Allison Sinclair Stephanie Smith |
YouTube[84] | P | P | P | P | P | P | |||
| 2[122] | Apr 07, 2022 | Fort Payne | DeKalb County Democratic Party | N/A | N/A | P | A | P | A | A | P | |||
| 3[123] | Apr 22, 2022 | Dothan | Houston County Democratic Party | N/A | N/A | P | P | P | P | P | P | |||
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[b] |
Margin of error |
Yolanda Flowers |
Patricia Jamieson |
Arthur Kennedy |
Chad Martin |
Malika Sanders-Fortier |
Doug Smith |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerson College[96] | May 15–16, 2022 | 294 (LV) | ± 5.7% | 29% | 2% | 5% | 7% | 5% | 3% | 49% |
| Emerson College[100] | March 25–27, 2022 | 359 (LV) | ± 5.1% | 11% | 3% | 7% | 4% | 8% | 8% | 59% |
Results

- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 20–30%
- 30–40%
- 40–50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 60–70%
- 30–40%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Yolanda Rochelle Flowers | 56,991 | 33.88% | |
| Democratic | Malika Sanders-Fortier | 54,699 | 32.52% | |
| Democratic | Patricia Jamieson Salter | 19,691 | 11.71% | |
| Democratic | Arthur Kennedy | 15,630 | 9.29% | |
| Democratic | Doug Smith | 11,861 | 7.05% | |
| Democratic | Chad Martin | 9,352 | 5.56% | |
| Total votes | 168,224 | 100.0% | ||
Runoff
Results

- 50–60%
- 60–70%
- 70–80%
- 80–90%
- Flowers / Sanders-Fortier 50%
- 50–60%
- 60–70%
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Yolanda Rochelle Flowers | 32,529 | 55.14% | |
| Democratic | Malika Sanders-Fortier | 26,469 | 44.86% | |
| Total votes | 58,998 | 100.0% | ||
Independent and third-party candidates
Libertarian nomination
No primary was held for the Libertarian Party, and candidates were instead nominated by the party.[124]
Nominee
- James "Jimmy" Blake, former Birmingham city councilman and former chair of the Libertarian Party of Alabama[124]
Independent candidates
Declared
General election
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[127] | Solid R | March 4, 2022 |
| Inside Elections[128] | Solid R | March 4, 2022 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[129] | Safe R | January 26, 2022 |
| Politico[130] | Solid R | April 1, 2022 |
| RCP[131] | Safe R | January 10, 2022 |
| Fox News[132] | Solid R | May 12, 2022 |
| 538[133] | Solid R | June 30, 2022 |
| Elections Daily[134] | Safe R | November 7, 2022 |
Endorsements
Labor unions
- Alabama AFL–CIO[135]
- United Auto Workers[136]
Organizations
Democrats for Life of America[120] (endorsement rescinded)[137]
Organizations
- Stand for Health Freedom[140]
Polling
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kay Ivey (incumbent) | 946,932 | 66.91% | +7.45% | |
| Democratic | Yolanda Rochelle Flowers | 412,961 | 29.18% | −11.21% | |
| Libertarian | James D. "Jimmy" Blake | 45,958 | 3.25% | N/A | |
| Write-in | 9,432 | 0.67% | +0.52% | ||
| Total votes | 1,415,283 | 100.0% | |||
| Turnout | 1,419,718 | 38.50% | |||
| Registered electors | 3,687,753 | ||||
| Republican hold | |||||
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Marengo (largest city: Demopolis)
- Russell (largest city: Phenix City)
- Tuscaloosa (largest city: Tuscaloosa)
By congressional district
Ivey won six of seven congressional districts.[143]
| District | Ivey | Flowers | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 68% | 27% | Jerry Carl |
| 2nd | 70% | 27% | Barry Moore |
| 3rd | 72% | 25% | Mike Rogers |
| 4th | 84% | 12% | Robert Aderholt |
| 5th | 69% | 27% | Mo Brooks (117th Congress) |
| Dale Strong (118th Congress) | |||
| 6th | 68% | 27% | Gary Palmer |
| 7th | 37% | 60% | Terri Sewell |
See also
Notes
Partisan clients