Former NFL quarterback and Alabama Crimson Tide national champion A.J. McCarron is running for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, he announced Thursday.
McCarron, 35, announced his candidacy on social media. He cited late conservative activist Charlie Kirk as an inspiration for his decision to run for political office.
“Today, Alabama’s conservative and cultural values are under attack from every direction,” McCarron said in an Instagram video declaring his candidacy. “That’s why Charlie Kirk’s assassination affected so many of us so deeply. His example convinced me to get off the sidelines and get into the game and stand tall for our conservative beliefs. So today, I’m announcing my candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama.”
McCarron, a native of Mobile, Alabama, is a first-time candidate with no prior political experience. In his video, he described himself as a political outsider, and said he previously endorsed Donald Trump for president for the same reason.
“While playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, I endorsed President Trump in 2016 because he was an outsider candidate,” McCarron said. “And with Coach Tuberville as Governor, I’ll be the quarterback who helps pass his conservative outsider agenda.”
McCarron played four seasons at Alabama from 2010-13, including three seasons as starter and consecutive national championship wins in 2011 and 2012. He is the Crimson Tide’s all-time leader in passing yards (9,019), completions (686) and games played (53), while also ranking third in touchdown passes (77). He finished second in the 2013 Heisman Trophy voting, behind former Florida State star quarterback Jameis Winston.
After Alabama, McCarron was drafted by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played seven seasons as a backup QB in the NFL for the Bengals, Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans. He last played two games for the Bengals in 2023.
Alabama state primaries will take place May 19, 2026.
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