Will Ainsworth

Will Ainsworth
Born	William Ainsworth 22 3, 1981
Birthplace	Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman
Education	Auburn University (BA)
Spouse(s)	Kendall Foster
Children	3

William "Will" Ainsworth (born March 22, 1981) is an American politician and businessman serving as the 31st Lieutenant Governor of Alabama since January 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Ainsworth previously represented the 27th district of the Alabama House of Representatives from 2014 to 2018. Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Ainsworth built a career in business and community involvement in northeastern Alabama before entering politics, winning his first legislative race in 2014. During his tenure in the state House, he gained attention for sponsoring legislation on school safety, economic development, and government accountability. In 2018, he won the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in a runoff election and went on to win the general election. He was re-elected in 2022 without Democratic opposition. As lieutenant governor, Ainsworth serves as president of the Alabama Senate and has involved himself in policy debates ranging from education reform to high school athletics governance. In May 2025, Ainsworth announced he would not seek the governorship in the 2026 election cycle.

Early Life

Will Ainsworth was born on March 22, 1981, in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up in northeastern Alabama, where he developed roots in the region's communities. Ainsworth was raised in a family connected to the business sector and became involved in entrepreneurial activities at a relatively young age. He settled in the area encompassing Blount County and DeKalb County, where he later built both his business career and political base.

Before entering public service, Ainsworth established himself as a businessman in the northeastern Alabama region. He operated businesses in the area and became involved in community organizations, which helped build name recognition and relationships that would later serve his political aspirations. His business background became a central element of his political identity, with Ainsworth frequently emphasizing his experience in the private sector as a qualification for public office.

Education

Ainsworth attended Auburn University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. His education at Auburn, one of Alabama's flagship public universities, connected him to a broad alumni network across the state. Ainsworth has cited his college years and the values instilled during his upbringing in Alabama as formative influences on his conservative political philosophy.

Career

Alabama House of Representatives (2014–2018)

Ainsworth entered electoral politics in 2014 when he ran for the Alabama House of Representatives in the 27th district, which encompasses portions of northeastern Alabama including parts of Blount and DeKalb counties. He won the seat, succeeding Representative Wes Long, and took office on November 4, 2014.

During his first legislative session in 2015, Ainsworth released a five-point plan focused on job growth and economic development for Alabama. The plan outlined proposals aimed at attracting businesses to the state and supporting existing employers in expanding their operations. He also received endorsements from business groups, including the Alabama Retail Association, which backed his candidacy during his time representing the DeKalb County area.

In February 2015, Ainsworth made headlines when he publicly criticized Alabama Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh, raising concerns about legislative leadership and governance within the Republican supermajority in the Alabama Legislature. This willingness to challenge members of his own party's leadership established Ainsworth's reputation as an independent-minded conservative legislator.

In 2016, Ainsworth was among the Alabama lawmakers who responded to the scandal involving then-Governor Robert Bentley and allegations of an extramarital affair. As calls for accountability grew across the state, Ainsworth was part of a group of legislators who sought to address the controversy through legislative channels. Also in 2016, Ainsworth made comments defending the role of religion in public life, responding to what he described as efforts by "liberals trying to purge godly" influences from Alabama governance.

One of Ainsworth's most prominent legislative initiatives was a bill to allow the arming of teachers in Alabama schools. In 2018, he introduced legislation that would have permitted trained school personnel to carry firearms on campus as a school safety measure. The proposal generated significant debate across the state. However, then-Speaker of the Alabama House ultimately indicated that the bill would not advance during that legislative session. The issue of arming teachers remained a signature policy position for Ainsworth as he transitioned to his campaign for lieutenant governor, and the proposal was noted as a distinguishing feature of his candidacy during the 2018 election cycle.

2018 Lieutenant Governor Campaign

In 2017, Ainsworth announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. The race attracted a competitive field of Republican candidates. Ainsworth campaigned on a platform that emphasized his conservative credentials, his business background, and his legislative record, including his advocacy for arming teachers and his five-point economic development plan.

The Republican primary required a runoff election, which Ainsworth won, securing the party's nomination for lieutenant governor. His victory in the runoff was seen as a reflection of his grassroots support in rural Alabama and his appeal to the party's conservative base. In the November 2018 general election, Ainsworth defeated his Democratic opponent and was elected the 31st Lieutenant Governor of Alabama. He took office on January 14, 2019, succeeding Kay Ivey, who had ascended to the governorship following the resignation of Robert Bentley in 2017.

Lieutenant Governor (2019–present)

As lieutenant governor, Ainsworth serves as the president of the Alabama Senate, a constitutional role that gives him authority to preside over Senate sessions and, in certain circumstances, cast tie-breaking votes. He has also used the platform of the office to advocate for various policy positions and to involve himself in statewide debates on education, economic development, and governance.

Ainsworth was re-elected to a second term in November 2022, running without Democratic opposition. The Associated Press projected his victory on election night, confirming his continuation in office under Governor Kay Ivey's administration.

In May 2025, Ainsworth announced through a social media post that he would not be a candidate for governor in the 2026 election cycle. According to his statement, the decision came after a period of prayer and reflection. The announcement removed him from what had been anticipated as a competitive Republican primary for the state's highest office.

AHSAA Controversy (2025–2026)

Beginning in late 2025 and intensifying into early 2026, Ainsworth became a prominent figure in a statewide controversy regarding the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) and its governance of high school athletics, particularly as it related to the state's new CHOOSE Act school choice program and the eligibility of students utilizing that program.

In September 2025, Ainsworth publicly asked Alabama residents to submit comments and complaints regarding the AHSAA's policies, signaling his intention to take an active role in scrutinizing the organization's decisions.

The controversy escalated in January 2026 when the AHSAA's governing board voted to split public and private schools into separate athletic competitions. Ainsworth publicly condemned the decision, calling it "boneheaded" and stating that "the governing board will be remembered for extinguishing the flame of competitiveness." He further elaborated on his opposition, stating, "I don't think it's a good idea to separate kids," arguing that the division would harm competitiveness and the overall experience of high school athletics in Alabama.

Ainsworth's vocal criticism of the AHSAA decision drew significant public reaction, including online backlash from Alabamians who disagreed with his position. Many who pushed back on social media argued that the split would address longstanding competitive imbalances between well-resourced private schools and public schools, and some commentators suggested that Ainsworth's opposition could lead to "unintended consequences" for the private school athletics community.

In late January 2026, Ainsworth attended an AHSAA private school meeting alongside Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) executive director Michael McClendon to discuss the implications of the split and potential adjustments for private schools. By February 2026, reports indicated that Ainsworth had outlined possible further changes for private schools in the aftermath of the AHSAA split, communicating his proposals to private school leaders via email. The AHSAA controversy highlighted Ainsworth's willingness to use his office to engage directly in policy debates beyond the traditional scope of the lieutenant governor's role, and it became one of the most publicly visible episodes of his second term.

Personal Life

Will Ainsworth is married to Kendall Foster, and the couple has three children. The family resides in northeastern Alabama, where Ainsworth has maintained his personal and business ties throughout his political career. Ainsworth has spoken publicly about the role of faith and family in his life, themes that have been consistent elements of his public persona and political campaigns. He has described his decision-making process as informed by prayer, as reflected in his May 2025 announcement about the gubernatorial race, in which he cited prayers and reflection as central to his conclusion not to run.

Recognition

During his time in the Alabama House of Representatives, Ainsworth received endorsements from several business and conservative organizations, including the Alabama Retail Association. His successful campaigns for lieutenant governor in 2018 and 2022 demonstrated his electoral strength within the Alabama Republican Party, with his 2022 re-election being uncontested by Democrats.

As lieutenant governor, Ainsworth has occupied a position that places him in the line of succession to the governorship, a role that has historically served as a launching pad for higher office in Alabama politics. His involvement in the AHSAA debate in 2025–2026 brought him sustained statewide media attention across multiple news outlets, including AL.com, the Montgomery Advertiser, Alabama Daily News, and 1819 News.