It's a sign of the times. Social media is one way that politicians can get feedback from voters and get it quickly. And unfiltered. And free. And very public.
Lieutenant Gov. Will Ainsworth took to Facebook on Monday night, asking the people for their input: what office should he run for in the 2026 state elections? Ainsworth is term-limited. He is not allowed by the state constitution to run for a third term as lieutenant governor. In the 2026 state elections, he must go elsewhere or go home.
It's a tough decision for Ainsworth, made tougher by the indications that U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) will likely run for governor. Coach Tuberville is the most popular and best-known political figure in Alabama.
If Coach does announce for governor, which could come next month, he will be the leading candidate, the odds-on favorite. But not a 100% shoo-in. Nothing in Alabama politics is guaranteed. Think Bradley Byrne for governor in 2010. The establishment candidate. The guy with the most money and the early polling lead. Byrne lost to unknown State Rep. Robert Bentley. In Alabama politics, you never know.
Ainsworth wants to be governor. He has essentially been running for governor since his re-election as lieutenant governor in 2022. Without Tuberville in the governor's race, Ainsworth would be the leading candidate, especially since Attorney General Steve Marshall announced he will not run for governor. But with Tuberville in the governor's race, Ainsworth is a distant second-place. Not an impossible race, but difficult.
So Ainsworth is seeking input from the people. Ordinary people. Facebook people. He asked these questions on his active Facebook page on Monday:
As the legislative session draws to a close next week, I will begin giving serious consideration to my future plans since I’m term-limited as lieutenant governor.
See AlsoWhatsApp: The Best Meta Purchase Ever?Facebook to crack down on spam and engagement farmingHere's how a Facebook group brought ice hockey back to Florence after over a decadeDept of Education Posts Resonate on Facebook—Perhaps Not as IntendedSome Alabamians have suggested that I run for governor, others have suggested that I run for U.S. Senate if the seat is open, and a few liberal Democrats who dislike conservatives like me have suggested that I return home to Guntersville and leave public service altogether.
Facebook seems like a good forum to ask my followers a simple question - what do you think I should do next year and why?
Feel free to post a comment below.
Pretty simple questions for the people. Should Ainsworth run for governor (even if Tuberville also runs for governor)? Should Ainsworth run for the U.S. Senate if the seat is open (which means that Tuberville runs for governor)? That would leave the seat open.) Or should Ainsworth return home to Guntersville and leave public service? He shrewdly made that last choice into one that "liberal Democrats who dislike conservatives" would favor.
The replies are all over the board.
Ainsworth posted his questions around 7 p.m. Monday. By 8 p.m., he had received 71 comments, and the responses appeared to be just getting started well. Update: 82 responses by 8:05. Update: 87 by 8:10. Update: 91 by 8:30. It looks like the total could soar overnight.
There is, of course, nothing scientific about a Facebook poll. Technically, it's not a poll, it's a survey. Ainsworth will likely use the Facebook responses as only one of several things to consider in making his decision:
What do he, his wife, children and extended family want?
What do his political supporters and fundraisers want?
What does a scientific poll indicate in an Ainsworth vs. Tuberville match?
Are there issues involving a Tuberville for governor race?
Can Ainsworth's hot-button issue of six-laning the entirety of I-65 be better accomplished as governor or as U.S. Senator?
Does he feel the Lord's lead in this vital decision?
The last question of the Lord's will was important to a number of the Facebook responders. This is Alabama. We are a Bible-belt people. Just look how many referenced the Holy Spirit or the will of God. The Ainsworths will likely have personal prayer and scripture time, as well as pastoral counseling, to guide them. We in Alabama still value seeking God's will. At least, some of us do, and the Ainsworths are likely among the seekers.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and HIs righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Jim 'Zig' Zeigler writes about Alabama's people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at[emailprotected].
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