Mayor 2026 Dothan

As a FREDRICK DOUGLAS Republican, with ASPIRATIONS FOR MAYOR office 2026, Thirty-one (31) words which affirm the values and freedom that the American flag represents are recited while facing the flag as a pledge of Americans’ loyalty to their country.

• The Pledge of Allegiance ( Is Not For Everyone) I pledge allegiance to my Flag and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

I have many accomplishments, but FIRST I AM A CHRISTIAN. Also, I am a US Army Signal Corps veteran, an Author, a Frederick Douglass Republican, a Vanderbilt University Divinity School graduate holding Ordination in the Baptist Church, and former Adjunct Professor of Religion at Florida Southern College in Orlando.

I have received counsel from Dr. Jack Hawkins, Chancellor, Troy University; and my mentor, the Honorable Mike Schmitz – I consider it a privilege and an honor from God to announce my commitment to winning the 2026 Alabama Gubernatorial election.

My STRATEGY of HOPE  is (6) FIVE SIMPLE POINTS: 

1. Pro Life (abortion is murder)
2. Hispanic & African American Communities 
3. Veterans 
4. Health Wealth Mindset 
5. Resubmit Lottery, Education Department 
6. Badge Check Law Enforcement; Mental after murder investigation involvement

Let me be the ONE to Carry the STATE, as I Know my light to be, Governor of Alabama. (Psalms 127:1)

1. Frederick Douglass BELIEVED FREEDOM is the most basic right, but limited or nonexistent to African Americans. Himself a runaway from slavery. He was the original, first black republican who called Jeremiah Haralson the great, witty, genius orator, and who served his nation with distinction and honor.
2. Jeremiah Haralson, African American Congressman, US REPRESENTATIVE from Selma, Alabama, named Jeremiah Haralson, who stood up for people of all color, creed and background, even though he was born into slavery in Columbus, Georgia in 1846. Haralson was a determined and honest self-educated man, who was elected to the US House of Representative in 1895.
3. The Last Kingdom, a Netflix production on old world history. Uhtred, the main character, helped establish England as a country by defending his land and its people. This further sparked a renewed interest in me to position myself to become the next Governor of Alabama to guide its’ citizens and this great state to the excellence we all know Alabama is headed for.
4. My parents were also Christians, of whom my father, being bi-vocational, was a pastor and a mill worker. My mother was a floral designer and owned her business for 27 years. Their examples developed a deeply seated desire in me to persevere, work hard, and help my family and community prosper and provide comfort to those in need.
5. Growing Up in Creola, a city in North Mobile, Alabama, I was determined to play football, and given the number 47, where sports became a steppingstone to my faith in Jesus. I was trying to fill the void from the lack of the approval from my father, Like DEON SANDERS-/COACH PRIME.  Although he was in my life, he never gave me compliments because of his agony of not making it to the MLB. As sports was a comfort for me then and led me to interact with religion and God, now,GOD HAS GIVEN A BILLIONAIRE ( Sabestan) WHO BELIEVES IN ME AND—-I trust God to allow me the honor to be a ‘comforter’ to fill the social, economic, educational and employment voids in lives of so many Alabamians.
6. I began to put football before God. As a freshman starting as free safety, it was a major accomplishment. However, it was short lived, as my left ankle was badly injured due to a jealous teammate. God had begun his work.
7. Where would I now get hope? People ask this everyday: “Where do WE get hope?” Just remember, the surrendering of one thing is not giving up of the other. It’s just a part of the process to get to the promise of hope.  I am here to tell you, hope is here. The path of mine and your dreams… OUR LOVE dreams, is to bring hope. Hope will come from life changing experiences, like Moses kneeling at the burning bush and preaching in Rome. As we see major world events unfold around us, and Alabama still standing strong in the turmoil, our hope grows and magnifies.
8. My aspiration to lead Alabama as governor became clearer while speaking to a peer, while presenting at my Alma Mater, Vanderbilt University Divinity School during the David G. Buttrick John D. Rockerllar  Symposium: Changing The Economic Mindset of Youth and Young Adults in 2015. This friend from Chicago asked, “Kenneth have you considered running for president of the United States?” Looking back upon what I thought was a disaster to leave football and go to work, had become a defining moment.  As Michelle Obama states in her book, The Light We Carry: If you know your light, as I know my light to be Governor of Alabama, you can no longer run from what is meant for you to help empower others and improve lives.
9. The synergistic approach of Fredrick Douglas meant he could pass for Caucasian, Like Dwayne Johnson—(TheRock) but still honored his African American descent. Granted, I do not have the complexion of Douglas, as melanin is in my hair and skin, but I’m grateful. Being trained in the predominantly white, prestigious Vanderbilt University (1987-1990), gave me the skills and the speech of the king’s English, while, yet still knowing He is the “God Of The Oppressed” (James Cone, 1975), and thereby able to still honor my heritage, while seeking opportunities to elevate and excel ALL Alabamians.
10. The synergistic approach of Jeremiah Haralson being the first African American man to successfully become a US Congressman, allowed him to represent the Selma, Alabama district. It is my intention to be the first Republican, African American SUCCESSFUL candidate to win the election for governor of Alabama, since 1895.
11.  Because God has called me to labor and serve as a priest and Governor of Alabama (3 John 1:2).
12. I cannot serve as Governor of Alabama, without praying for God to give me the WISDOM and humility to help bring hope to all 5 million people in this great state and move them toward fulfilling their God given destiny.
13. It is my foregone conclusion that 2026 is my year to become Governor of Alabama, and to participate in the collective process to enrich the souls and lives of this great state through the help of the saving power of God. I was born poor, and understand, hardship, struggle, failure and successes, but I want others to also know there is hope for any situation. Hope can arrive in the lives of those who wish to live the American Dream of having “life, love, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Hope can come alive in the hearts and minds of those who wish that we could work together in bipartisanship, seeking to improve the condition of hard working, honest taxpayers all cross this Great State of Alabama, As a Republican candidate for Governor in 2026, help me provide comfort and build hope in Alabama. Vote, Kenneth M. Young for governor.
14. Again, I am reminded what Jesus did when He stood up for the oppressed and the marginalized, by giving them hope. I want to give Alabama a greater hope for the strong future we all have worked for and so richly deserve.