Sports

Charlie Kirk Just Inspired A Legendary Alabama Quarterback To Run For Office

"[Charlie Kirk's] example convinced me to get off the sidelines."

   DailyWire.com
Charlie Kirk Just Inspired A Legendary Alabama Quarterback To Run For Office
Brandon Sumrall/UFL/Getty Images

Former University of Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has entered the race for lieutenant governor, saying the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk inspired him to “get off of the sidelines” and serve his state.

“Alabama’s conservative and cultural values are under attack from every direction,” McCarron said in a press release announcing his candidacy. “That’s why Charlie Kirk’s assassination affected so many of us so deeply. His example convinced me to get off of the sidelines, get into the game, and stand tall for our conservative beliefs, so today, I’m announcing my candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama.”

McCarron was a standout quarterback at the University of Alabama, where he led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back BCS National Championships in 2012 and 2013 as a starter. He was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft and spent several seasons as their backup before brief stints with the Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons. Most recently, he started at quarterback for the St. Louis BattleHawks in the United Football League.

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McCarron endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2016.

The ex-NFL player is currently working as a college football analyst and co-owns McCarron Real Estate with his wife, Katherine, who was Miss Alabama USA in 2012. They live in Mobile with their three children.

Earlier this year, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), the former head coach at Auburn University, announced he was running for governor of Alabama.

“The Montgomery insiders and career politicians have had their chance. It’s time for political newcomers and outsider candidates like me to lead the battle,” his statement said. “When Coach Tuberville is governor, I’ll be the quarterback who helps pass his conservative outsider agenda.”

Other GOP candidates in the lieutenant governor race include Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, pastor Dean Odle, and Nicole Jones Wadsworth, per ESPN. The state primaries will be held on May 19, 2026.

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