Dr. Stewart Tankersley Qualifies for Alabama Lieutenant Governor Race

MONTGOMERY - Dr. Stewart Hill Tankersley officially qualified today to run for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama, joining a crowded and competitive Republican field ahead of the May 19, 2026 primary. His entry adds another high‑profile name to a race already drawing significant statewide attention.

Tankersley, a physician and longtime conservative advocate, is positioning himself as a candidate focused on integrity, constitutional governance, and strengthening Alabama's future. His campaign is expected to emphasize medical freedom, government transparency, and traditional values - themes he has championed throughout his public life.

Dr. Tankersley is a fourth generation physician serving the citizens of the Montgomery area. After graduating from Auburn University with a major in History, he enlisted in the Army before going to medical school at UAB. He then completed two years in OB/GYN training before he and his wife spent a year training as Christian missionaries. After this brief hiatus, he returned to Montgomery and completed a residency in Family Medicine in 2002. Since then, he has enjoyed providing care locally with the exception of three deployments in the United States Army's Medical Corp during the War On Terror. He received awards for each of his deployments. He formerly serves as a Colonel in the Alabama Army National Guard.

Stewart Hill Tankersley, M.D. was confirmed by the Alabama Senate on February 14, 2013, to serve a term on the Alabama Ethics Commission from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2017.

Since finishing residency he served nine years on the board of the Montgomery County Medical Society, where he was honored to serve as President in 2010. As a result of this position – during this turbulent year in medicine – he became well acquainted with the dramatic changes that were legislated on our country's medical system as well as the country at large.

Colonel. Tankersley strongly disagreed with the COVID-19 response and has been publicly skeptical of the COVID-19 vaccine's effectiveness and safety. He is a member of Concerned Doctors of Alabama.

A Crowded Republican Field

Tankersley joins a slate of Republican contenders that includes Secretary of State Wes Allen, George Childress, Pat Bishop, Dean Odle, Rick Pate, Nicole Jones Wadsworth, and Alabama GOP Chairman John Wahl, who filed in the final minutes of qualifying.

With Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth term‑limited, the open seat has attracted a wide range of candidates from across the party's ideological spectrum. Tankersley's background in medicine and public policy gives him a distinct profile in a field dominated by elected officials and political activists.

A Platform Rooted in Service and Accountability

While Tankersley has not yet released a full platform, his past public statements and civic involvement point toward several likely priorities:

- Protecting medical autonomy and resisting federal overreach in healthcare

- Strengthening election integrity and public trust in state institutions

- Supporting small businesses and rural communities

- Promoting family‑centered policies and traditional values

Supporters say his experience as a physician gives him a grounded, people‑first perspective on state leadership.

Democrats Also Field Candidates

On the Democratic side, Phillip Ensler and Darryl D. Perryman have qualified for the race, setting up a two‑candidate primary for the party's nomination.

Looking Ahead

With qualifying now closed, the Lieutenant Governor's race moves into its next phase as candidates begin traveling the state, building coalitions, and sharpening their messages. Tankersley's entry ensures that healthcare, personal liberty, and constitutional governance will be central themes in the months ahead.