New polling shows the economy is top-of-mind for Alabama voters heading into the 2026 election cycle.
The Alabama Poll recently surveyed 600 likely Republican primary voters asking what the governor and state lawmakers should focus on in the new year. A full 80% of the responses were related to the economy, including 28.2% that said inflation and cost of living were of particular concern. More than 12% said insurance and utility costs. 
Asked about their two biggest concerns regarding increased prices, 50.2% listed the cost of food, 34.3% said health care and 33.8% said insurance.
“The 2026 Republican primaries will be won on the issues, and if you’re not talking about lowering costs for families, you’re not winning,” said Michael Lowry, principal of The Alabama Poll, a subscription-based public opinion research service. “This survey shows that affordability isn’t a side issue – it’s the main event, and it’s likely to define how voters evaluate candidates up and down the ballot.”
The survey, conducted in mid-December, also showed room for candidates in several statewide races to pick up undecided voters.
A.J. McCarron, the former Alabama and NFL quarterback whose bid for lieutenant governor lasted less than two months, had the most support at 31.3%. McCarron ended his campaign just after the poll was conducted. About 18.2% of the polled would have voted for Wes Allen, the current secretary of state, if the election were that day. And 7.5% favored current Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate.
In the contest to be the GOP’s nominee for attorney general, 71.7% of respondents remain undecided. About 11.8% favored former Alabama Supreme Court associate justice Jay Mitchell while 9.7% said they’d vote for Katherine Robertson, who is chief counsel to current Attorney General State Marshall. Blount County District Attorney Pamela Casey has 6.8% of respondents’ support.
Marshall is term limited in his current office and running for U.S. Senate. The poll showed him leading that filed with 29.7%, followed by U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, 12.3% and 8% for former Navy Seal Jaren Hudson. Forty-six percent of respondents were undecided.
Down the ballot, Andrew Sorrell was leading support in the GOP primary contest for secretary of state, with 20.8% to Caroleene Dobson’s 13.7%. Sorrell on Monday dropped out of that race and qualified for his current elected spot, state auditor.
The three-person race to be the next commissioner of agriculture is also wide open with 79% of voters undecided, according to the poll.
Jack Williams leads at 10%, with Corey Hill at 7% and Christina Woerner McInnis 5%.
Read the full results at www.alabamapoll.com.