Republican candidate for governor and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle received a high-profile endorsement from a prominent Auburn name this week.
Former Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville, who last year briefly considered a run for governor himself, said Monday on a local Auburn radio show that he is supporting Battle for governor.
"I think we need something different in Montgomery," Tuberville told WANI 1400 when he was asked who his favorite candidate is. "I think we need something different in the state of Alabama. I think Tommy Battle is a very, very good candidate for this state."
Tuberville said in spring 2017 that he was considering a run for governor. But later in the year, as the beginning of fundraising approached, Tuberville opted out of running for the state's top executive position.
Tuberville, who had recently finished up a three-year stint as the head football coach at the University of Cincinnati, said in February that he was considering the run for governor. He even loaned his campaign $100,000, but later announced in April that he was abandoning the exploratory campaign.
Audio via WANI 1400
Though Battle is an Alabama graduate, he said he was happy to receive Tuberville's support.
“We may be on different sidelines when Alabama and Auburn play each other, but Coach Tuberville and I are on the same team when it comes to moving our great state forward,” Battle said. “I want to thank him for his support. I can’t wait to see Coach Tuberville on the campaign trail.”
Battle has been the mayor of Huntsville, Alabama's third largest city, since 2010. During that time, he has overseen numerous economic development projects including one a deal announced earlier this year that will bring a $1.6 billion Toyota-Mazda car manufacturing plant to Huntsville.
"It's kind of like being a head football coach. You put together staffs. You know people that can help you make decisions, give you advice. He's done that in Huntsville."
Ivey, an Auburn
"Huntsville is one of the most growing parts of the country, not just the state of Alabama," Tuberville said. "He's had a big job up there. Of course, they have an area with the arsenal that's beneficial for growth, but I think he's done a good job outside of the Montgomery realm."
Ivey took office in April 2017 after former Gov. Robert Bentley resigned amid a spiraling sex scandal. When Tuberville abandoned his campaign, he was complimentary to Ivey, but now he says he doesn't believe Ivey should be considered the shoe-in for the post despite her de facto incumbency.
"Kay Ivey is kind of interim governor," Tuberville said. "She stepped in when the other guy had to be moved out. I think Tommy Battle is going to be the guy that people should look at."
Tuberville said Montgomery needs more outsiders like Battle.
"We need new blood in the city of Montgomery to help. It's going to be hard for any governor. We need more money. He's going to have to find a way to bring people in to make decisions to help us with money in the area of jobs and more tax money coming in."
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Chip Brownlee, senior in journalism and political science, is the editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman.
