{"id":351458,"date":"2025-12-19T14:09:04","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T14:09:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/alabama\/rep-phillip-ensler-becomes-first-democratic-candidate-in-lieutenant-governor-race\/"},"modified":"2025-12-19T14:09:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T14:09:04","slug":"rep-phillip-ensler-becomes-first-democratic-candidate-in-lieutenant-governor-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=351458","title":{"rendered":"Rep. Phillip Ensler becomes first Democratic candidate in lieutenant governor race"},"content":{"rendered":"


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On Monday, Representative Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, became the first Democratic candidate to file initial paperwork<\/a> setting up a run for lieutenant governor in the upcoming cycle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am grateful to have been encouraged by so many people: political leaders, constituents, residents all over the state, family, and friends,\u201d Ensler wrote in an email responding to questions from APR. \u201cThe biggest impact\u2014and person\u2014on my decision though was thinking of my late father who passed 2.5 years ago. He was so proud of me serving and I want to continue to make him proud as he watches down on me.\u201d<\/p>\n

First elected in 2022<\/a> in a traditionally Republican district after its borders were redrawn, Ensler had announced in July<\/a> that he would not be seeking re-election.<\/p>\n

In a statement explaining that announcement, Ensler wrote that he planned to \u201creturn to [his] native New York\u201d after finishing his current term in 2026 due to a desire to be closer to his family. However, in another statement released earlier this week, Ensler said that in recent months he\u2019s reconsidered the decision to move back to New York because his \u201cheart is here in Alabama and with the people who have become my extended family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been overwhelmed by how many people all over the state of varying political beliefs and backgrounds have strongly encouraged me to stay and continue to pursue public service,\u201d the representative continued.<\/p>\n

While serving in the state House, Ensler has repeatedly introduced bills intended to address gun violence. He\u2019s sponsored legislation that would restrict the sale and possession of parts able to turn firearms into machine guns in the past three legislative sessions.<\/p>\n

In response to a question from APR about how his time in the state legislature would affect his possible work as lieutenant governor, Ensler said that as a representative, he has \u201cseen first hand that Alabamians want their public servants to focus on solutions to real problems, not culture wars and personal opinions.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cI have proven that it is possible and necessary to work across the aisle to solve problems,\u201d he wrote. \u201cI have delivered on promises to improve public safety and save lives from gun violence, expand access to mental health services, increase community health care, and much more to empower and uplift all residents, especially the most vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ensler officially filed to run for lieutenant governor less than one month after former U.S. Senator Doug Jones entered the Democratic primary<\/a> for governor. Jones told the Alabama Daily News<\/a> that he is \u201creally, really excited that Phil is staying in Alabama and I\u2019m excited about the opportunity to run alongside him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPhil is a dedicated legislator and he\u2019s also been effective,\u201d the former senator explained. \u201cI think he brings a lot to the party, a lot to the ticket and ultimately will make a great lieutenant governor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ensler told APR that Jones entering the race was \u201ca source of inspiration\u201d but \u201cultimately, my decision [to run] was made from a deep desire to keep serving Alabamians who are tired of the status quo.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Ensler is the first candidate to file paperwork for a run for lieutenant governor as a Democrat, the Republican primary is already relatively crowded. Announced Republican candidates for the office include secretary of state Wes Allen, agricultural commissioner Rick Pate<\/a>, pastor Dean Odle<\/a>, and Nicole Wadsworth<\/a>, the wife of state Rep. Tim Wadsworth, R-Arley.<\/p>\n

The Republican and Democratic primaries will be held on May 19, 2026.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On Monday, Representative Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, became the first Democratic candidate to file initial paperwork setting up a run for lieutenant governor in the upcoming cycle. \u201cI am grateful to have been encouraged by so many people: political leaders, constituents, residents all over the state, family, and friends,\u201d Ensler wrote in an email responding to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":351459,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11763],"tags":[172615,77234,23910,37064,172616,172618,21507,38827,52442,172617,8785,12601,50004],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-351458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alabama","tag-2026-election","tag-2026-lieutenant-governor-race","tag-candidate","tag-democratic","tag-democratic-primary","tag-ensler","tag-governor","tag-lieutenant","tag-phillip","tag-phillip-ensler","tag-race","tag-rep","tag-rep-phillip-ensler"],"yoast_head":"\nRep. 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