Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl announced the endorsement of Sheriff Heath Jackson of Escambia County in his run to represent Alabama’s 1st Congress District.
Carl is running for Congress to fill the seat opened by Congressman Bradley Byrne’s, R-Montrose, decision to run for the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Doug Jones.
“Jerry Carl is a strong conservative and the best person to represent Escambia County and the entire First District in Congress,” stated Sheriff Heath Jackson.
“We need a congressman who will pick up the phone when we call, and I know Jerry will do just that,” Jackson added. “He has been a leader in promoting our shared conservative values such as protecting the unborn, upholding our 2nd Amendment rights, and fighting the ridiculous tolling of the bridge. He is a friend and supporter of Escambia County and the entire law enforcement community, and there is not a better fighter in this race than Jerry Carl. He will stand with us, he will stand with Trump, and he will stand with our community.”
“I am humbled by the endorsement of Sheriff Jackson,” stated Carl. “He is a proven leader who has consistently put the needs of his community first. This district is made up of varied towns, varied communities, and varied interests. I will be a Congressman for ALL of the First District and look forward to working with Sheriff Jackson in Washington, DC.”
There is rampant speculation that former Attorney General Jeff Sessions will enter the race for his former Senate seat. Sessions vacated the seat he had held since 1997 in 2017 after he was confirmed as Donald J. Trump’s (R) AG by the Senate. Trump fired Sessions last November.
There was some speculation that Byrne might leave the Senate race and pursue re-election for his seat in Congress instead. Monday night a high ranking source in the Byrne campaign told the Alabama Political Reporter that Byrne is committed to winning the Senate seat, whether or not Jeff Sessions enters the race for Senate. Early polls have former Auburn head football Coach Tommy Tuberville (R) leading Byrne in a crowded field for the Senate seat.
Carl faces a crowded field in the First Congressional District race. Former State Senator Bill Hightower, State Representative Chris Pringle, and businessman Wes Lambert have all announced their candidacies with more persons reportedly contemplating qualifying for the rare Alabama open congressional seat.
The Republican primary will take place on March 3rd, 2020.
