Former Alabama Crimson Tide and NFL quarterback A. J. McCarron will attempt to enter politics, announcing his candidacy for lieutenant governor. McCarron, a Mobile native, will run as a Republican candidate. “Alabama’s conservative and cultural values are under attack from every direction,” McCarron said in his announcement. “That’s why Charlie Kirk’s assassination affected so many of us so deeply. His example convinced me to get off of the sidelines, get into the game, and stand tall for our conservative beliefs, so today, I’m announcing my candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama,” he added. “When Coach Saban recruited me to play quarterback for the University of Alabama, he taught me the principles of being a leader, and together we won back to back national championships. And playing in the NFL reinforced the importance of achieving goals bigger than ourselves,” the former national champion said. “My roots run deep in Alabama, and with my football career behind me, Katherine and I are raising our boys here, instilling in them our deep Christian faith and teaching them the fundamental morals that make this state so special,” McCarron continued. Just in: Former Alabama Star QB A.J. McCarron has announced he is officially running for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama in 2026 pic.twitter.com/4a5c7iFBE0 — The Calvin Coolidge Project (@TheCalvinCooli1) October 23, 2025 AL.com shared more: McCarron noted that he endorsed President Trump during Trump’s first campaign. He said as lieutenant governor he would work with Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the former Auburn coach and frontrunner in the governor’s race. “While playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, I endorsed President Trump in 2016 because he was an outsider candidate,” McCarron said. “And when Coach Tuberville is governor, I’ll be the quarterback who helps pass his conservative, outsider agenda. Alabama is my home. It’s made me who I am, and I feel led from above to give back to the state that has given me so much.” The primary is May 19, 2026. An All-State football and baseball player at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile, McCarron was a member of three Alabama teams that won the BCS national championship. He served as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback for the title teams for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. McCarron won the Maxwell Award as the outstanding college player of the 2013 season, when he also was the runner-up in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy. McCarron will join a race that includes Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate, Opelika pastor Dean Odle, and commercial realtor Nicole Wadsworth. Former Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill is also considering a run for the position. : https://t.co/Gkfg9uPTMP Former Alabama national championship-winning quarterback AJ McCarron on Thursday announced he is running for statewide office. pic.twitter.com/oLuI255aY2 — AL.com (@aldotcom) October 23, 2025 WSFA noted: In 2016, McCarron publicly endorsed Donald Trump for president and “credits the 45th and 47th president with inspiring him to run for elected office,” a press release from his campaign said. He currently works as a college football analyst and co-owns McCarron Real Estate with his wife, Katherine Webb McCarron, who won Miss Alabama USA in 2012. They live in Mobile and have three sons. “The Montgomery insiders and career politicians have had their chance. It’s time for political newcomers and outsider candidates like me to lead the battle,” he said. Watch the full announcement:

Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler returned home and attended his first City Council meeting this week, nearly three months after being set on fire outside his office. BREAKING: Young Politician SET ON FIRE By Attacker! "The suspect, Shotsie Buck-Hayes, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after allegedly pouring gasoline on Vogler and then setting him on fire," WDBJ reports. 3:55 p.m. 7/30/25 UPDATE: The Danville Police Department has charged Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes, 29, with attempted first degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding following the attack by burning Wednesday, July 30, on Lee Vogler. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/g0N4rEMZLx — Danville VA Police (@DanvilleVAPD) July 30, 2025 Vogler described his experience and recovery during his return to city council. BREAKING: Danville, VA City Councilman Lee Vogler has returned to the city council chambers after police say a man set him on fire in July @myfox8 pic.twitter.com/Vn80NtYO1o — Justin Odell Lundy (@_JustinLundyTV) October 21, 2025 WDBJ shared details: Months later, Vogler walked through the doors of Danville City Hall for the first time since the incident. His children being a huge factor in what got him through. “My son is playing in the District Championship football game tomorrow, so I’m going to get to catch that,” he said. “I’m real excited. My daughter’s got a modeling show coming up. Those were two things that I really wanted to be here for. So that and, like I said, God and an amazing health care team got me here.” During the meeting, Vogler gave an update on his recovery and shared a goal he hopes to achieve soon. “This was kind of step one. I’m back home, but I still got a long road ahead of me,” Vogler said “I got a lot of work to do on my hands to get them back fully functional. My next goal, as I kept telling the doctors and the nurses, is I got to get a baseball glove on that left hand and a baseball on my right hand and get back on that field with those kids.” With his wife and Danville residents in attendance, Vogler sent a message to those who supported him. “They rallied around me as the comeback kid, and I really feel like that, and maybe even the miracle man,” he said. “The people of Danville always go above and beyond to show their love and support.” Footage below: Less than three months ago, Councilman Lee Vogler was set on fire. Last night he made it back to his first City Council meeting since the attack. Here are a few of his words. pic.twitter.com/zD00hieZLa — ABC 13 News - WSET (@ABC13News) October 22, 2025 Vogler did not speak about his relationship to the suspect. According to Danville Police Sgt. Gerrit Clay, Buck-Hayes told him, “he set the person on fire who had an affair with his wife.” Motive Revealed For The Man Who (Allegedly) Lit Virginia City Councilman Lee Vogler On Fire WSET noted: According to his wife, Blair Vogler, he was moved out of the Intensive Care Unit on Oct. 7, months ahead of his projected release time. Now, just two weeks later, Vogler has returned home. Vogler credited his wife and his family for their unwavering support during his recovery. "My wife, Blair, was there every step of the way," he said. The council chambers were filled with laughter and excitement as Vogler was welcomed back. Fellow council member Bryant Hood expressed admiration for Vogler's resilience, calling him "the originator of the Comeback City, aka the Comeback Kid." Barry Mayo, another council member, remarked on Vogler's appearance, saying, "You look good and we are with you." Doctors are currently assisting Vogler in regaining the use of his hand, and he continues to experience some pain. Despite the challenges, Vogler expressed joy at seeing his son play ball and returning to work for the River City. The man accused of setting Vogler on fire, Shotsie Buck-Hayes, is facing charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding. Watch additional coverage below:

California plans to redistrict and pick up five seats in California to counter the five seats the GOP picked up in Texas. So far, the redistricting war looks like this: North Carolina picked up one GOP seat as they redistricted. Indiana and New Hampshire won’t redistrict to help the GOP keep the House. Missouri picked […] The post Virginia Will Redistrict & Obama Believes in It Now appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.