Yolanda Flowers announces candidacy in 2026 Governor's race

September 24, 2026 – Yolanda Flowers announced that she is running for the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2026. Yolanda was the 2022 nominee for Governor falling to incumbent Governor Kay Ivey (R) in the general election.

Yolanda Rochelle Flowers is a career educator and rehabilitation services expert in Tennessee. In 2022 she defeated State Sen. Malika Sanders Fortier of Selma in the Democratic run-off election. Flowers won 55.15% (32,416) of the votes cast. Sen. Sanders Fortier received 44.85%, or 26,363 votes.

This time it appears that Flowers will be up against Senator "Coach" Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) – one of the most popular figures in modern Alabama political history.

"Tthis time around? it it's going to be more challenging," Flowers said. "This year it's like a a heaviness okay and I say that he is popular because of the president (Donald J. Trump) you know he's he's loyal you know, a man that really doesn't like people, a man, and I have to be honest, and you may send his own up to Washington, but I just don't care."

Flowers said that Trump, "Is chaotic by design."

Flowers said that her campaign will appeal to the poor and the marginalized.

"It's not good for no one here in this state because we have more poor, more marginalized. It doesn't matter with the color, but we are all marginalized. We have here you and I, we are senior citizens. Okay? Yes, senior citizens, but we are being uh overlooked."

Flowers said that her race and gender does present challenges for some votes.

"That's definitely going to be challenging," said Flowers. "I have I have more strikes against me than I do and would have against a white female. Okay. because of my race or should I say ethnicity since we are all you know one race but because of my ethnicity if we can get past looking at a person's skin color and judging an individual based on their character what they do I think we'll be a better people all across."

Flowers was outspent by Kay Ivey over $7.2 million to just over $15,000 in 2022. We asked if Democrats were going to do a better job of backing their candidates this time around.

'The money uh we just have to wait and see, Brandon," said Flowers on her fundraising efforts. "We'll just have to wait and see. I believe if we can get past though this um domination in our party, one wants to be dominant instead of us coming together. If we can get past that being separated and coming together, we will be much better." "it's not going to be the def the deciding factor. I don't I believe the people need to vote."

Flowers 2022 run was the first Black nominee for Governor of a major party in the history of the state of Alabama. 2022 was the first election in Alabama history where both major party gubernatorial nominees were women.

Flowers graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1978. She has a bachelor's degree in audiology and a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, both from the University of Tennessee. She also has an associates degree in speech therapy.

Flowers – then a political newcomer emerged from a crowded field of six candidates in 2022 to win the Democratic nomination. This primary fight appears to be just as challenging. Chad "Chig" Martin and Rev. Will Boyd have already announced their candidacies for Governor and there will likely be more candidates announce before qualifying in January.

The Democratic primary is May 19, 2025.

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