Looking ahead, Alabama is still a stronghold for conservative ideas, but changes in demographics and economics, especially with urban growth in places like Birmingham and Huntsville, could shake things up in future elections. While the Democratic presence isn’t huge, grassroots movements and national trends might open the door for gradual changes in the coming years.
Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican, has been leading since 2017, focusing on boosting the economy, improving infrastructure, and promoting conservative social policies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alabama’s initial response was careful, but eventually shifted to align with Republican views against mandates.
Over the past ten years, Alabama has stuck to a pretty conservative political vibe, with Republicans running the show at the state level, in the legislature, and in federal positions. The state has consistently backed Republican candidates in presidential elections, giving Donald Trump strong support in both 2016 and 2020. Still, there have been some interesting political changes that have made an impact on how the state is governed.
In 2017, Democrat Doug Jones unexpectedly won a special U.S. Senate seat, defeating Republican Roy Moore. This was a rare win for Democrats in such a Republican-dominated state, mainly due to the controversies surrounding Moore. However, in 2020, Jones lost his seat to Republican Tommy Tuberville, which meant the GOP regained control over both Senate seats.
The Alabama legislature is firmly in Republican hands, with conservative lawmakers pushing through strict abortion laws, business-friendly tax policies, and voting regulations that some critics say make it harder for people to vote. Political discussions in the state also touch on redistricting, which has faced legal battles over claims of racial gerrymandering.