Patrick Bishop announces run for Lieutenant Governor

May 26, 2025 – CULLMAN, AL – Cullman County Deputy Patrick Bishop announced that he is running for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. Bishop is a retired Army Major and an Alabama law enforcement officer.

Incumbent Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R) is term limited from seeking a third consecutive term in office.

"The outgoing Lieutenant Governor has done a great job and is now leaving a vacancy in Alabama leadership which is critical to fill with a principled common-sense conservative," said Bishop in a statement. "Alabama's next Lieutenant Governor needs to have a solid record of leadership to effectively fight our state's move away from our constitution and our common-sense values."

"I'm running for Lieutenant Governor because Alabama deserves a proven leader-someone who's not afraid to stand up and fight for what's right," said Bishop. "I'm not a politician. I'm a man of action. I know how to get things done, and I'll never compromise my values. I have all the strengths you expect in a leader-and none of the weaknesses you've come to associate with politics."

"I proudly served 26 years in the United States Army after enlisting in 1990 as a graduate of Ramsay High School," continued Bishop. "In addition to my military service, I also dedicated several years to law enforcement. My wife Angela and I are both military veterans and law enforcement officers, where we remain deeply committed to our community. I am a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Immediate Past Director of Military Affairs for Alabama with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., and a member of the Cullman County Fraternal Order of Police and the Military Officers Association of America. I also serve as an Associate Minister at Trinity Baptist Church and remain active with Southern States Police Benevolent Association and the Tau Sigma Chapter (Birmingham Sigmas) of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc."

"Recently, I was humbled to be recognized with Cullman County's Outstanding Citizen Award by the children of Cullman County Schools-an honor that speaks to the values I stand for," said Bishop. "I continue to serve through various civic and faith-based organizations across our great state. Together, we can lead Alabama with integrity, strength, and conviction."

If elected, Bishop pledged to work on a whole host of issues.

Bishop supports criminal Justice Reform, "Support efforts to strengthen law enforcement and include community service officers to meet the demands of citizens with psychological challenges."

As part of that Bishop favors mandatory GED completion / TRADE training before inmates are released from ADOC custody.

Bishop pledged to, "Declare a full-fledged State of Emergency in response to the Opioid crisis. I will, after having spoken to Alabama residents, work to establish an Opioid Operational Command Center to break down traditional silos and allow for more rapid and effective coordination between state and local agencies."

Bishop favors Medicaid expansion.

"I know what it is like to live just below poverty level," said Bishop. "Therefore, I want us to expand Medicaid, protect the Medicaid trust fund, and do everything we can to open hospitals or clinics in EVERY area of the state. We believe that we can do a better job in getting mental health care for those in need instead of relying on law enforcement to handle it."

Bishop said that he will continue to work with the Governor in legally recruiting industrial development.

Bishop pledged to make agencies like the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Parole a paramount part of Alabama Law Enforcement and provide them with the resources they need.

Bishop acknowledged that the state has a lot of work to do on education.

"Alabama can be at the top in education," Bishop said. "Though we are No. 1 in pre-K, we are close to last in basic education."

Bishop faces a crowded field for Lieutenant Governor. Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones Wadsworth, Secretary of State Wes Allen, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate, and Lee County Pastor Dean Odle are all already declared candidates for Lt. Gov.

The Republican primary will be on May 19, 2026.