Chad "Chig" Martin graduated from Enterprise High School in 1986. He then attended The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga on a football scholarship, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice in 1991. He founded Thunder Industrial Supply Company, and later established Alabama’s first hemp dispensary, Honeysuckle Hemp Company, in Dothan. What Chad refers to as "The Citizens-Driven Movement" has grown rapidly to 31,000 followers. His years of experience in business creation and management can potentially elevate Alabama's job market and improve quality of life for ALL Alabamians.
In light of the recent passing of HB445, a bill which placed harder restrictions on those looking for alternative medications, Chad is running on decriminalizing natural medicines, as well as expanding Medicaid and enhancing our health care industry by incorporating natural medicinal options. This includes working to accept naturopathic practitioners and natural medicinal options under insurance providers because Alabamians should be afforded the freedom to choose their quality of care. Additionally, by creating health hubs in rural areas, Alabama can provide preventive care options to alleviate emergency room overcrowding and underfunding.
By investing in infrastructure for roadways, broadband, and waste water management, he envisions revitalizing Alabama's agricultural industries and providing remote Alabamians opportunities to expand agritourism efforts, which would boost their local economies. Recruiting high-tech industries that invest back into our communities will provide stability and economic growth for generations to come. He strongly believes in being proactive about drawing in beneficial business opportunities. His focus is on sustainable industry growth that creates long-lasting careers that pay livable wages, offer maintainable benefits, and provide respectable retirement packages. He plans on investing in Alabama’s Black Belt region, with a particular focus on improving roads and bridges. He will recruit new industries and put complimentary trade school platforms in place to help create long-term employment solutions for underserved areas.
Chad wants to strengthen and enforce dumping and pollution regulations to help ensure we can remain “Alabama the Beautiful.” Providing adequate funding to our state regulatory agencies, as well as working alongside nonprofits, can enable better monitoring to mitigate our pollution, in addition to,keeping an eye out for our wildlife. He hopes to reduce stray animal populations by providing an affordable statewide spay/neuter program.
Creating an education lottery in Alabama is essential to affording our students opportunities in early childhood education, assistance with scholarships, and technical career training. He will focus on adult career training, as well as offering remote work opportunities for rural areas to increase economic development. He also proposes four gaming and entertainment zones throughout the state, with the goal of every Alabamian living no more than two hours away from one. Water and amusement parks, professional daycare services, world-class plays and musicals, concerts, entertainers and the overall expansion of arts performances provides gainful employment for our citizens, creates tax revenue for the state, and affords Alabamians opportunities to enjoy time with family and friends.
Outside of politics, his biggest pride and joy is his daughter Anna. She has always been his biggest supporter, and when her father chose to devote himself to the needs of Alabamians, she stepped up to run the family businesses. When he has the opportunity, you can find Chig fishing in the Gulf or hunting in Barbour County. He is invested in Alabama and the well being of all.
Chad “Chig” Martin will be traveling the state hosting in-person meet-and-greets where voters are welcome to ask questions as well as present solutions to issues their community faces. You can connect with him directly on Facebook at Chad Chig Martin for Governor of Alabama 2026 where he hosts live Q&As, or follow his “EVENTS” page to see when he will be in your area.