A.J. McCarron, a former star quarterback at the University of Alabama who spent nine seasons in the NFL, is running for lieutenant governor.
McCarron, who lives in Mobile, made the announcement Thursday, calling himself a fresh, conservative voice.
“Alabama is my home — it’s made me who I am, and I feel led from above to give back to the state that has given me so much,” McCarron said. “So if you’re ready for a new voice, a fresh perspective, and want Alabama to remain the nation’s conservative and moral leader, just remember one simple phrase — AJ for LG.”
The political newcomer joins an already crowded and competitive Republican field. Current Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen and Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate are leading in fundraising, with $612,457 and $490,516 cash on hand, respectively, according to the latest campaign finance information.
McCarron helped lead Alabama to back-to-back national championships in 2012 and 2013 as the starting quarterback under Nick Saban.
He entered the NFL draft in 2014, he played a total of nine seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals, Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons. He retired late last year.
In his statement, McCarron said he was inspired to run by President Donald Trump, whom he publicly endorsed in 2016.
“The Montgomery insiders and career politicians have had their chance,” he said in a video message. “It’s time for political newcomers and outsider candidates like me to lead the battle.
While playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, I endorsed Donald Trump in 2016 because he was an outsider candidate, and when Coach (Tommy) Tuberville is governor, I’ll be the quarterback who helps pass his conservative outsider agenda.”
Tuberville is the GOP frontrunner for governor next year.
McCarron is now a football analyst and co-owns McCarron Real Estate with his wife and former Miss Alabama USA, Katherine Webb McCarron.
Asked about the new candidate Thursday, Allen said this race is not about talk, but action.
“An endorsement of President Trump is only valuable if you follow it up with the real action of voting for him, which I have done,” Allen said. “I don’t just talk about standing up for conservative values.
A comment from Pate’s campaign wasn’t immediately available.