2022 Alabama gubernatorial election

For related races, see 2022 United States gubernatorial elections.

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]

2022 Alabama gubernatorial election

← 2018 November 8, 2022 2026 →
Turnout	38.50%
Nominee Kay Ivey Yolanda Flowers Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 946,932 412,961 Percentage 66.91% 29.18%
County results Congressional district results Precinct results Ivey:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Flowers:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Governor before election Kay Ivey Republican Elected Governor Kay Ivey Republican

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

Former U.S. Ambassador Lynda Blanchard finished second in the 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

Lynda Blanchard

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

• American Conservative Union^[26]

Lew Burdette

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]

Kay Ivey

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]

Tim James

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

• Alabama Conservative Party^[60]

Organizations

• Alabama Christian Education Association^[61]
• American Family Association Action^[62]
• Christian Conservatives of Alabama^[63]

PACs

• Coal Miners Political Action Committee^[64]

Dean Odle

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

• Alabama First Alliance^[69]
• South Alabama Republican Assembly^[70]
• Stand for Health Freedom^[71]

Dave Thomas

Organizations

• Alabama Cannabis Coalition^[72]
• Alabama Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition^[72]

Debates and forums

2022 Alabama Republican gubernatorial primary 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

Results by county:

  Ivey

•   30–40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60–70%
•   70–80%

Republican primary results^[108]

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

• Yolanda Rochelle Flowers, activist, retired rehabilitation specialist and educator^{[109][110][111]}

Eliminated in runoff

• Malika Sanders-Fortier, attorney and state senator from the 23rd District (2018–present)^[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

Yolanda Flowers

Organizations

• Democrats for Life of America^[120]

Malika Sanders-Fortier

Organizations

• Alabama New South Alliance^[121]

First round

Debates and forums

2022 Alabama Democratic gubernatorial primary 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

Results by county:

  Flowers

•   20-30%
•   30-40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%

  Sanders-Fortier

•   20–30%
•   30–40%
•   40–50%
•   50–60%
•   60-70%

  Jamieson

•   60–70%

  Martin

•   30–40%

Democratic primary results^[108]

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

Runoff results by county:

  Flowers

•   50-60%
•   60-70%
•   70-80%
•   80-90%

  Tie

•   Flowers / Sanders-Fortier 50%

  Sanders-Fortier

•   50-60%
•   60-70%

Democratic primary runoff results^[108]

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

• Jared Budlong, marketing project manager (write-in campaign)^[125]
• Dean Odle, pastor, author and former Republican primary candidate (write-in campaign)^[126]

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

Yolanda Flowers (D)

Labor unions

• Alabama AFL–CIO^[135]
• United Auto Workers^[136]

Organizations

• Democrats for Life of America^[120] (endorsement rescinded)^[137]

Jimmy Blake (L)

Organizations

• Alabama Cannabis Coalition^[138]
• LetBamaVote.org^[139]

Dean Odle (write-in)

Organizations

• Stand for Health Freedom^[140]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size[b]	Margin of error	Kay Ivey (R)	Yolanda Flowers (D)	Jimmy Blake (L)	Other	Undecided
Cygnal (R)[141]	October 27–29, 2022	616 (LV)	± 3.94%	60%	25%	5%	-	-

Results

Swing by county

Legend

•   Democratic — +12.5-15%
•   Democratic — +10-12.5%
•   Democratic — +7.5-10%
•   Democratic — +5-7.5%
•   Democratic — +2.5-5%
•   Democratic — +0-2.5%
•   Republican — +0-2.5%
•   Republican — +2.5-5%
•   Republican — +5-7.5%
•   Republican — +7.5-10%
•   Republican — +10-12.5%
•   Republican — +12.5-15%
•   Republican — +>15%

Trend by county

Legend

•   Democratic — +12.5-15%
•   Democratic — +10-12.5%
•   Democratic — +7.5-10%
•   Democratic — +5-7.5%
•   Democratic — +2.5-5%
•   Democratic — +0-2.5%
•   Republican — +0-2.5%
•   Republican — +2.5-5%
•   Republican — +5-7.5%
•   Republican — +7.5-10%
•   Republican — +10-12.5%
•   Republican — +12.5-15%
•   Republican — +>15%

2022 Alabama gubernatorial election^[142]

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 6 of 7 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

• 2022 United States Senate election in Alabama
• 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama
• 2022 United States gubernatorial elections
• 2022 Alabama lieutenant gubernatorial election
• 2022 Alabama Senate election
• 2022 Alabama House of Representatives election
• 2022 Alabama elections

Notes

1. Calculated by taking the difference of 100% and all other candidates combined.
2. Key:
   A – all adults
   RV – registered voters
   LV – likely voters
   V – unclear

Partisan clients

1. Poll sponsored by ForestPAC, a wing of the Alabama Forestry Association, which supports Ivey
2. Poll sponsored by Ivey's campaign
3. Poll sponsored by FarmPAC, a wing of the Alabama Farmers Federation