Rick Pate Announces Bid for Lieutenant Governor in 2026
MONTGOMERY — Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate has officially announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor in 2026, joining a growing field of Republican contenders vying for the open seat.
Pate, who is term-limited in his current role, was first elected as agriculture commissioner in 2018. Prior to that, he served as mayor of Lowndesboro for 14 years and spent over three decades in the commercial landscaping and irrigation business. He holds a degree in ornamental horticulture from Auburn University.
Speaking Wednesday at a luncheon for Alabama Associated General Contractors at the Montgomery Country Club, Pate said he’s ready for a new chapter in public service.
“I feel like I still have something left to give,” Pate said. “It’s just an opportunity to serve the public. Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries has been a really cool, fun thing to do for the last six and a half years. I feel like I’ve got too much to give to just go to the house and retire, go play golf, and hunt.”
Pate said he had considered running for governor but stepped aside when U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville entered the race. “Nobody but Nick Saban could beat Tuberville,” he joked.
He added that lieutenant governor was the best fit among the constitutional offices up for grabs in 2026. “At my point in life, I wanted to do something meaningful,” Pate said. “Not many of those positions were probably in my skill set. Really, lieutenant governor was the only one.”
The lieutenant governor presides over the Alabama Senate and is first in line to succeed the governor. The office also has appointment powers to various boards and commissions.
“I’m such good friends with so many of the senators,” Pate said. “I just think I could do some good there working with them the next few years.”
One of Pate’s key goals is to help businesses that are burdened by excessive government regulations. Reflecting on his experience as a business owner, Pate said, “I had been in business for 37 years and really ran [for commissioner] against the unbelievable amount of regulations that are put on business. I always felt like the government was trying to catch me. I’m trying to do right, and there’s so many flippin’ rules and regulations.”
Pate expressed enthusiasm for the campaign trail, saying, “I’m probably one of the few people that just loves campaigning. We’ll probably next week put $100,000 of our money in the campaign. We’ll have skin in the game, so I don’t mind asking people to help me.”
Pate is the fourth Republican to enter the race for lieutenant governor. Other candidates include Secretary of State Wes Allen, Opelika pastor Dean Odle, and commercial real estate developer Nicole Wadsworth. The seat is open due to current Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth being term-limited. Ainsworth has announced he will return to the private sector after his current term ends.
With more candidates expected to announce in the coming months, the Republican primary is shaping up to be a hotly contested race.
