Compassion, kindness, and the ability to identify a triangle; these are some of the attributes AL.com readers say they’re looking for in their next Governor.

Though there are no candidates officially running, speculation is running high that Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth might face off for the 2026 GOP primary.

In a post to Facebook Friday, AL.com asked “What do you want to see from the next person in office?”

Nearly 1,000 people responded.

And while some have a particular candidate in mind like Doug Jones, who was mentioned the most, the majority of commentors focused on qualities they would like to see in state leadership.

“Compassion. Kindness. Dignity. Respect for all constituents. The willingness to move the state forward,” wrote Elaine Henry in a comment that received over 200 likes.

“In other words, anything but what we’ve had for the past 20+ years.”

“Somebody that the lobbyists can’t buy,” wrote Bedeah Waters.

“None of our representatives work for US. Bring that back.”

But the overwhelming majority of commentors were very vocal about what, or more accurately who, they didn’t want to represent them.

“I can tell you what I DON’T want to see, Tommy Tuberville,” wrote Angie Barned in the second most liked comment.

“ANYONE and I do mean ANYONE other than Tommy Tubberville (sic) …I’m afraid we are doomed,” wrote Sharon Chancellor.

Tuberville for months has been in conversations surrounding the 2026 race.

Yellowhammer News reported Tuberville “told a group of donors at a private event on Wednesday night that his mind is officially made up” and that he would run for governor rather than a second term in the U.S. Senate.

But Tuberville downplayed his interest on Thursday, and said he and his wife are still weighing their options.

“While I appreciate all the interest, Suzanne and I are still praying about how to best serve the people of Alabama. When I have an official announcement about my future, you’ll hear it directly from me,” he posted on social media.

Commentor Jay A Gee also took a dig at the senator, writing he preferred “someone who actually knows the 3 Branches of Government, oh and someone who actually lives in Alabama.”

The subject of Tuberville’s residency came up during the race for the Republican nomination for Senate in 2020, Tuberville’s first run for public office.

Former Sen. Jeff Sessions, who challenged Tuberville in the race, raised the issue of Tuberville’s residential property in the Florida panhandle.

AL.com reported at that time that Tuberville and his wife, Suzanne, were both registered voters in Alabama and owned a home here, according to the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office.

But by July 2023, the Tubervilles did not own a single square foot of property in Alabama after selling parcels in Macon and Tallapoosa counties for $1.4 million, according to a Washington Post report

And while a spokesman for Alabama’s senior senator maintained to the Post that Tuberville’s primary residence is an Auburn house owned by his wife and son, campaign finance documents and property records suggest Tuberville’s main home is in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, the paper reported.

“There’s no problem with that. We looked at that six, seven years ago. It’s just people that are probably, maybe, wanting to run for governor. Hey, if you want to run, go run on your abilities. Don’t try to trick somebody else. There’s nothing to that,” Tuberville has said of residency questions.

Ainsworth, who is considering a run for governor next year, has said that Tuberville’s decision on whether to enter the race would not affect his plans.

“Sen. Tuberville, he’s done a good job,” Ainsworth has said. “But that doesn’t have any impact on my decision.”