Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner running for Lt. Governor
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — Alabamians will be seeing a few familiar names under Lieutenant Governor on the ballot in 2026.
Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate confirmed he would be running for Lieutenant Governor at an event in Montgomery on Tuesday.
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Pate said he wants to reduce government regulations and cut taxes. He also said that he wants to work with the legislature to do meaningful work for the state of Alabama.
'I'm such good friends with so many of the senators,' Pate said. 'I've talked to Garlan this morning, Steve Livingston, different ones. I just think I could do some good there, working with them for the next few years.'
Current Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth announced on May 21 that he will not be running for Governor or Lt. Governor in 2026 and will be taking time away to focus on his family and will be transitioning into the private sector.
'Serving as Alabama's Lieutenant Governor has been the honor of my lifetime, and in the year-and-a-half remaining in my term, I will continue working night and day to meet the needs, improve the lives, and protect the conservative values of the Alabama citizens I took an oath to serve,' Ainsworth said in his announcement.
Other candidates who have also announced their intention to run for Lieutenant Governor include Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen and Huntsville native Nicole Wadsworth.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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