Chad Martin makes official announcement for Governor Race

May 29, 2025 – ENTERPRISE, AL - The Alabama governor's race just got a little more crowded when moderate Democrat Chad "Chig" Martin put his hat (literally and figuratively) into the ring for the 2026 election.

Martin describes himself as a guitar toting, fedora wearing and hemp selling entrepreneur from the Wiregrass region of Alabama. He is also involved in the mobile home, hat and aerospace maintenance supply industry with his businesses based out of Dothan.

Martin decided to enter the 2022 race for Governor at the last moment yet was still able to earn just under 10,000 votes in a tightly contested Democratic Primary. Martin says that he learned valuable lessons from that experience.

"The last campaign helped me understand what was needed in the areas of staff, resources and simply how to work with all walks of people in an effective way," said Martin. "The knowledge I gained is paying off in big ways early in this campaign cycle."

Martins says that the Chad "Chig" Martin for Governor 2026 campaign page on Facebook has grown by more than forty percent since the campaign started back up this cycle to over 22,000 subscribers.

"Our page has grown organically as part of our 'Citizens Driven Movement' where our supporters have taken the roll as our campaign team," said Martin. "It is an amazing thing to see Alabamians from all parties coming together and working with each other."

Martin says that he wants to be a leader and be at the forefront of bringing high-tech industry to Alabama with good pay and health and retirement benefits. Martin says that this will help counteract our healthcare problems naturally and without government subsidies – especially as it appears that some federal assistance may be drying up.

Martin says that he wants to make sure that every child in a public-school grades K-12 has healthcare services regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Martin also wants to decriminalize all natural products such as Cannabis.

"It is a shame that our citizens are being pushed to an unsafe black market with fentanyl so prevalent," Martin said.

Martin supports the lottery in Alabama.

"46 out of 50 states already have the lottery," Martin said. "We are building schools in every state around us while many of our children sit in worn and dilapidated buildings."

Martin also emphasized that he believes in free medical choices.

"I believe that the privacy of our citizens and their relationship with their doctors is sacred ground and that the state should not have any business in the matter," Martin added.

Martin says that he has plans to improve veterans' affairs and animal welfare. He also believes that we can stimulate the Alabama economy with four gaming and family friendly entertainment zones located centrally across the state. Martin also said that he has big plans to enhance the security of our public schools. Martin said that he believes in bipartisanship and that he can work across the aisle to get things done for the people of Alabama.

"I am very excited about toning down the temperature of our political climate across the state by working bi-partisanly and in good-faith on behalf of the people of Alabama," said Martin.

Martin grew up in Enterprise AL. He graduated from Enterprise High School in 1986 where he excelled in athletics. He was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he earned his bachelor's degree in 1991 in Criminal Justice.

Martin has had a successful career as a businessman and entrepreneur. His daughter now runs the businesses though he serves in a support role as needed.

Martin is an avid outdoorsman. He said that on most weekends you can usually find him fishing in the Gulf or hunting in Barbour County.

"This will be my second and final attempt for office in Alabama and I want to know that I have given it everything that I have on behalf of the people that support me," said Martin.

Republicans Tommy Tuberville and Ken McFeeters announced their candidacies on Tuesday. At this moment Martin is the only Democrat in the race; but he expects that to change.

"The governor's race will probably get even more crowded in the coming days and weeks as things heat up," Martin predicted.

The Democratic primary will be on May 19, 2026.