Jerry Carl isn’t done with Washington just yet.
The former Republican congressman from Alabama’s 1st District is expected to announce his bid to return to Congress during a public event at Foley City Hall on Monday, August 18. Doors open at 9 a.m., with Carl scheduled to take the podium at 10 a.m.
Sources close to the former congressman say he intends to reenter the political arena after losing a primary battle to Barry Moore in 2024. Carl was narrowly unseated after redistricting forced two sitting Republican incumbents into the same district—a race shaped more by geography than by record.
Carl, a self-made businessman from Mobile with a long résumé in county government and conservative politics, served two terms in the U.S. House before Moore edged him out in the newly drawn district. With Moore now eying a Senate run, Carl appears ready to reclaim the seat he once held—and make the case that his brand of business-first conservatism still resonates with voters in southwest Alabama.
During his time in Congress, Carl focused on infrastructure, economic development and veterans’ services. He served on the House Appropriations Committee and was known for his vocal support of the oil and gas industry, a key employer in his coastal district.
Carl enters the race with name recognition, a proven record, and a built-in base of support—key advantages in what’s expected to be a competitive Republican primary. And as the GOP continues to define its future, Carl is betting that experience and steady leadership still matter.
Carl’s announcement is expected to kick off a campaign that will hinge on experience, economic messaging, and the promise of steady hands in chaotic times. Whether that’s enough in today’s political climate remains to be seen.
