M ONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WSFA) - The race for Alabama’s next governor is heating up with the addition of Doug Jones, the only democrat in the last decade to win a statewide election. The former U.S. senator confirmed his candidacy on social media Monday after filing the necessary paperwork to launch his bid.

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones has announced his candidacy for governor of Alabama in 2026. He made the announcement Monday after filing campaign paperwork.

Jones won a 2017 special Senate election against a Republican who faced allegations of sexual misconduct with underage girls. He lost to Sen. Tommy Tuberville in 2020.

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones officially joined the race for Alabama’s governor Monday afternoon. Jones posted a video to social media Monday where he confirmed the “worst kept secret” in Alabama. He also teased an official kickoff next month.

Doug Jones said Alabamians want a governor who "treats this state with grace and dignity and not just like a rest stop on the way to the Florida beach."

Attorneys in Alabama are making their case for why they should be the state chief law enforcement officer. There are three candidates so far for attorney general.