Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron has announced that he will be running for lieutenant governor in his home state of Alabama.
McCarron also announced a new YouTube channel that will host all of his campaign media. He bounced around the NFL for several years, unable to replicate his collegiate success at the pro level. Most recently, he played quarterback for the St. Louis Battlehawks during the 2024 season.
McCarron joins Alabama's lieutenant governor race alongside Secretary of State Wes Allen, Cullman County Deputy Patrick Bishop, George Childress, Pastor Dean Odle, Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, and economist Nicole Wadsworth. This would be McCarron's first job in politics.
Here’s what we know about McCarron’s run for lieutenant governor in Alabama.
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A.J. McCarron's political run
McCarron doesn't have a political background. He announced his candidacy through a YouTube video. McCarron mentions that he is embarking on this venture now that his playing career is over. Last year, he played for the St. Louis Battlehawks in the UFL.
McCarron said in the video that "the Montgomery insiders and career politicians have had their chance" and that now is the time of outsider candidates. The former quarterback said that he was inspired to take action following the death of conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk.
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What is a lieutenant governor?
McCarron is setting his sights high for his first political venture. The former QB is aiming for the second-highest executive office in many U.S. States. In most instances, the highest-ranking official in the state is the Governor, followed directly by the Lieutenant Governor.
The Lieutenant Governor acts as Governor when the Governor is absent and also serves as the President of the State Senate. Specific duties vary from state to state.
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Where is A.J. McCarron from?
McCarron was born in Mobile, Alabama. He started his education at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School through fourth grade, before then transferring to St. Paul's Episcopal School.
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A.J. McCarron football career
McCarron committed to Alabama and redshirted when he arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2009. When the quarterback finally took over in 2010, he played sparingly in 13 games. He became the starter in 2011 and led Alabama to back-to-back national championships.
McCarron was a fifth-round pick, selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was largely used as a backup, bouncing around the league until 2023. That year, he became the St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback and played for the team for two seasons, including the 2024 season.
McCarron played in 19 NFL games. He had a 2-2 record and threw for 1,192 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. Over 17 games as a starter in the XFL, he amassed a 12-5 record with a combined 3,732 yards, 39 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.