As political divisions deepen, some conservatives are eyeing Florida and Alabama as potential refuges from left-leaning policies, according to a recent op-ed in the American Thinker. The piece, written by Noel S. Williams, points to U-Haul migration data and upcoming gubernatorial transitions as signs that these red states could see an influx of like-minded transplants in the coming years.
The Texas Exodus That Wasn’t
Williams pushes back against predictions that conservatives would abandon Texas after its recent political shifts, noting that the state still led U-Haul’s growth index in 2025. However, he warns that governor-elect Gina Hinojosa’s policies—particularly her stance on limiting data center construction—could slow job growth and make the state less appealing to businesses like Elon Musk’s ventures, which relocated there.
Florida’s ‘Red Wall’ and the Byron Donalds Factor
Florida, currently second in U-Haul’s net migration rankings, is poised to take the top spot by 2027, Williams predicts. He credits the state’s “human-friendly, freedom-loving policies” and the election of Governor-elect Byron Donalds, a DeSantis ally, as key draws. But with Florida already the seventh-most populous state, he half-jokingly wonders: “I just hope they have enough space for us.”
Alabama: The Under-the-Radar Backup
For those priced out or crowded out of Florida, Williams suggests Alabama as an alternative. The state jumped from 16th to 9th in U-Haul’s growth rankings in 2025 and has room to spare as the 28th-most densely populated state. “I know Alabamans won’t want this advertised,” he writes, “but we are a ‘free’ country—well, at least Florida and Alabama are.”
The op-ed frames this potential migration as part of a broader ideological regrouping, with conservatives “fight[ing] like the spirit of 1776” even as they seek friendlier jurisdictions. Whether this vision materializes may depend on job markets, housing costs, and whether these states can maintain their policy trajectories under new leadership.
Source: www.americanthinker.com — https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/11/florida-and-alabama-do-you-have-room-for-forlorn-conservatives/