Opelika pastor Dean Odle has announced his candidacy for lieutenant governor next year, billing himself as the “anti-establishment Republican.”

Odle, 57, is the founder of the Fire & Grace Church and Fire & Grace Ministry School in Opelika.

Odle ran for governor in 2020, finishing fifth in the Republican primary with 11,767 votes, or 1.8%.

Odle explained his decision to run for lieutenant governor instead of governor next year.

“After much prayer, I just felt like that was the Lord’s direction for me this time,” Odle said. “Also, I feel too, that there is more of a legislative agenda that I want to push and I just felt like that was a good place to do it as president of the Senate.”

The lieutenant governor in Alabama presides over the state Senate.

Odle said Alabama needs to prepare for some difficult days ahead, including what he expects at some point will be a war with China if China invades Taiwan.

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Odle is a husband, father, and grandfather who has been in the ministry for more than 37 years, according to his campaign website. He has been a small business owner, a researcher, and has authored four books.

In 2022, Odle campaigned against the medical establishment and state government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and against vaccine mandates.

Odle’s announcement comes early in the election cycle. The primary is in May 2026. Lt. Gov Will Ainsworth is in his second term and is barred by term limits from a third. Ainsworth has said he is considering running for governor.