Jay Hovey is a Republican state senator representing District 27 in the Alabama Senate, which covers portions of Lee, Russell, and Tallapoosa counties. First elected in 2022 after a narrow one-vote victory in the GOP primary against incumbent Tom Whatley, he announced his candidacy for reelection in 2025. Born James Thomas Hovey Jr. on October 27 in South Lee County and raised on his family's farm in the Marvyn community, he attended Beauregard High School. His father is a third-generation small business owner and Opelika High School graduate; his mother is a retired educator and Auburn High School graduate. A conservative Christian and deacon at Providence Baptist Church in Beauregard, where he met his wife Anna, Hovey works as a commercial lending officer at ServisFirst Bank in Auburn. Notable achievements include advocating for a sales tax cut on groceries, increasing funding and research for Auburn University, and supporting rural district programs. He previously served on the Auburn City Council for Ward 7 and holds community roles with the Alabama Small Business Advisory Commission, United Way of Lee County, Kiwanis Club of Auburn, Auburn Chamber of Commerce Board, and Auburn Greenspace Advisory Board. An Eagle Scout, he worked as an Auburn University student firefighter to fund his college education.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Attended Beauregard High School; worked as a student firefighter at Auburn University to put himself through college .
• Political Experience: Auburn City Councilman ; Alabama State Senator for District 27 . Serves on Senate committees including Finance and Taxation Education , Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, Education Policy, County and Municipal Government, Banking and Insurance, Tourism, and Transportation and Energy; also on the Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Finances and Budget.