Doug Jones Wants to Reshape Alabama Government: A Bold Plan for a Powerful Lieutenant Governor

Alabama's Democratic gubernatorial nominee, Doug Jones, is proposing a major shakeup of state government. His plan? Give the lieutenant governor real power and make the office a true partner to the governor. This is a direct challenge to a system that has left the position as little more than a figurehead for years.

Jones announced Wednesday that, if elected, he will push for a constitutional amendment to reorganize the executive branch. The core of his proposal is simple: have the governor and lieutenant governor run on a single ticket, just like the President and Vice President of the United States. Currently, Alabama elects them separately, a setup Jones argues creates a weak, sidelined second-in-command.

“It's almost like the lieutenant governor is a figurehead in the Legislature that just sits with a gavel,” Jones said. “The lieutenant governor, in my view, always should be a part of the executive branch, a partner with the governor to help implement the administration's policies.”

This isn't just a campaign promise. Jones has a specific partner in mind: Rep. Phillip Ensler, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. Jones says Ensler will have a “seat at the table” in his administration, a stark contrast to the current power dynamic.

“I want him to have a seat at the table, whether as officially as a member of the government's cabinet or at least as a member of the government's cabinet in an advisory role, we're going to talk during a transition about what portfolio he might want to work on,” Jones said.

Why Does the Lieutenant Governor Have So Little Power?

The office wasn't always this weak. Historically, the Alabama lieutenant governor held powers comparable to the Speaker of the House, controlling legislation and assigning senators to committees. That all changed in 1999.

That year, a standoff between then-Lt. Gov. Steve Windom, a Republican, and the Democratic-controlled Senate led to the office being stripped of most of its authority. The Senate transferred those powers to the Senate President Pro Tem.

This spring, the role was diminished even further. Senate Resolution 108, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, took away the lieutenant governor's power to appoint members to conference committees, removed them from a committee that assigns committee chairs, and gave the Pro Tem the power to recommit bills. It even allows the Pro Tem to preside if the lieutenant governor is five minutes late to a session.

It's a long way down from a position that was once a cornerstone of legislative power.

The Plan: A Joint Ticket and a Seat at the Cabinet Table

Jones's proposal has two key parts. First, the constitutional amendment would change how the governor and lieutenant governor are elected. They would run as a team, like the presidential ticket. According to the National Lieutenant Governor's Association, 27 states already do this.

Second, Jones wants to integrate the lieutenant governor into the executive branch. He envisions the lieutenant governor as a key advisor, possibly even a formal cabinet member. He was quick to address potential legal hurdles, specifically Section 280 of the Alabama Constitution, which prohibits an individual from financially benefiting from two public offices.

“It will not be double dipping, so to speak, at all,” Jones assured.

Ensler, for his part, is on board. He touted his bipartisan record and his ability to work across the aisle.

“There is so much that I can do because of the relationships I have, as Doug said, across the aisle, and to be able to help carry out a vision, help fight for the people of Alabama,” Ensler said.

Can This Amendment Actually Pass?

This is the million-dollar question. Passing a constitutional amendment in Alabama requires a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the Legislature and a simple majority of voters on the ballot. That's a high bar, especially with Republicans holding a supermajority in both houses.

Similar proposals have failed for over two decades. Sen. Bobby Denton filed one in 1999, Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin in 2004, and then-Rep. Cam Ward in 2005 and 2006. None ever got a floor vote.

Jones says he's already spoken with Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton and House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels. Daniels confirmed his support.

“The lieutenant governor is someone that's elected statewide, so their duties should exceed just presiding over the Senate,” Daniels said. “I do think that they can be extremely valuable in the government.”

But the real test is winning over Republicans. Messages seeking comment were left with GOP nominees Tommy Tuberville and John Wahl, but neither responded by press time. The silence is telling.

Jones is aiming for the 2028 election to get this on the ballot. It's an ambitious timeline, but he's framing this as a common-sense reform that benefits all Alabamians, not a partisan power grab.

“When you elect Doug Jones and Phil Ensler, you're electing a team to help implement the same strategies, the same efficiencies in government, the same programs that we're talking about on the campaign trail,” Jones said.

Whether that message resonates in a state where Republicans have held the lieutenant governor's office since 2010 remains to be seen. But Jones is betting that the promise of a more efficient, effective government is a winning one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the current powers of the Alabama lieutenant governor?

The Alabama lieutenant governor's primary duty is to preside over the State Senate. The office has been stripped of most of its other powers, including the ability to assign senators to committees and control legislation, which were removed in 1999 and further reduced in 2025.

How would Doug Jones change the role of lieutenant governor?

Doug Jones proposes a constitutional amendment to have the governor and lieutenant governor run on a single ticket. He also wants to give the lieutenant governor a formal role in the executive branch, potentially as a cabinet member or senior advisor, to help implement the governor's agenda.

What is the likelihood of this constitutional amendment passing?

Passing a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds supermajority in both the Alabama House and Senate. Since Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers, the proposal would need significant bipartisan support to pass. Similar efforts have failed for over 20 years.