Nathan "nate" Mathis

Nathan Mathis, a long-time Alabama farmer and former state legislator, is running as a Democrat for Governor in the 2026 primary election. Born in Midland City in 1943, Mathis served in the Army and as Chair of the Houston County Commission from 1974 to 1978. He then represented various districts in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1983 to 1995. Mathis has made several unsuccessful runs for office since, including for Governor in 2006, where he proposed building casinos to fund the state. He is known for his legislative work supporting pari-mutuel wagering. In 2017, he gained national attention for publicly criticizing Roy Moore and speaking in support of his late daughter. Mathis also owns Nate's Oyster Bar and Grill in Slocomb, Alabama. He emphasizes his decades of public service experience in his campaign.