“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.” – King Henry V in William Shakespeare’s play “Henry V”

We are now a good two weeks into 2026, so let me ask you, beloved reader, how many times have you written 2025 on a check or other paperwork so far this year?

It can be hard to let go of the past, but it is durn-near impossible to predict the future. Yet, we are going to try to wrap our arms around what 2026 could be in Alabama politics and government.

No sense in beating around the bush. It is an election year, and that should dominate the headlines. Republicans and Democrats are in the process of qualifying candidates to run for offices in all three branches of state government.

I think there are two reasons to believe this state election cycle should offer more excitement than the elections of four years ago.

The first is the lack of incumbents running for many of the more high-profile statewide offices as compared to 2022. Since it is often a tall task to unseat an incumbent office holder, we may be in store for some more exciting races – at least in the Republican primaries.

Gov. Kay Ivey, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Attorney General Steve Marshall, and Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate all hit their two-term limits this year, requiring new blood to take over their offices.

Even current Secretary of State Wes Allen, who is not term-limited, is giving up his office to run for lieutenant governor. The same is true for Tommy Tuberville who is running for governor instead of retaining his U.S. Senate seat.

The second reason is Democrats actually have a candidate with a pulse at the top of the ticket. Doug Jones, the only Democrat to win a statewide race in what feels like eons when he defeated Roy Moore for U.S. senator in 2017, will likely be the Democratic nominee for governor.

Jones might be the most savvy and talented candidate in the gubernatorial race, but make no mistake in thinking he has anything less than the steepest of uphill climbs in our ruby-red Republican state.

However, I think voters having more than one viable option in as many political races as possible on November ballots can be a good indicator of a healthy democracy. How well Jones finishes, win or lose, should be a harbinger of how tightly the grip of one-party dominance will continue into future state elections.

Leaving behind politicians and looking at policies, healthcare issues may well be top banana this year.

Nationally, Congress’ ultimate decision on renewing tax breaks for people who purchase healthcare coverage through the Obamacare exchange could impact many lower-income Alabamians’ healthcare coverage levels or their decisions to have healthcare coverage at all.

Less health insurance coverage per capita can lead to greater healthcare expenses taken on by a state government to fill the gap.

Additionally, the Retirement Systems of Alabama says costs continue to increase for health plan providers that offer Medicare plans to their stakeholders. Last year the Alabama Legislature provided $124 million to help cover the shortfall for state government retirees on Medicare, but RSA is advocating for more aid this year.

It was announced in December that Alabama received a federal grant to improve rural healthcare, which should provide more than $200 million for various health-related initiatives this year, so the healthcare news is not all bad, but difficult funding decisions may be on the horizon.

Besides the healthcare issue, look for bills dealing with social and cultural issues receiving more attention than we typically see. This can range from legislation dealing with religion and patriotism in schools, citizenship and language requirements, tough-on-crime policies and beyond.

These are what are known as red-meat bills. They are generally easier to understand, at least on the surface level, and are meant to fire up a party’s political base by showing how elected officials are promoting the party members’ political and social values in government.

In times of polarization and strong party connection, like now, red-meat bills provide the chance for elected officials to connect with voters on an emotional level. Emotionally invested voters will show up to the polls and maybe even donate or volunteer to help candidates.

Of course, there will be other issues and bills that will command attention, but these topics are worth your attention as we start 2026.

So, embrace the chaos as we encounter what will be yet another wild 12 months in Alabama government and politics. A raucous political year is one prediction I will guarantee.