Colonel William A. Phillips

Jerry Lee Carl Jr. (born June 17, 1958)[1][2] is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. representative for Alabama's 1st congressional district since 2021. The district is based in Mobile, and includes all of the state's share of the Gulf Coast. A Republican, Carl served as a member of the Mobile County Commission from 2012 to 2020, the last two years as president of the commission.

In 2019, Carl announced his candidacy for the House seat being vacated by incumbent Republican Bradley Byrne. He defeated former state senator Bill Hightower in a runoff for the Republican nomination and Democrat James Averhart in the general election. In 2024, following redistricting as a result of Allen v. Milligan, Carl ran against fellow incumbent representative Barry Moore in the Republican primary and narrowly lost renomination.[3]

Early life and education

A native of Mobile, Alabama, Carl graduated from Sylacauga High School in 1977. He attended Lake City Community College (now Florida Gateway College) for a time, but left to move back to Mobile and start his first business.[4][5]

Career

After leaving community college, Carl worked for Alabama Power. He then worked for Burford Equipment Company and as a salesman for various companies in Mobile. In 1989, Carl established Stat Medical, a healthcare equipment business. He later worked as a manager at Rotech Medical before establishing a real estate development firm. Carl founded Carl and Associates, a management group, in 2003. He then started Cricket and Butterfly, LLC, a lumber and timber company.

Carl ran for Mobile County Commission in 2012.[6] He defeated incumbent Mike Dean in the Republican primary election in April,[7] and won the general election in November.[8] He was reelected over Margie Wilcox in 2016.[9] In 2019, Carl was selected to serve as Commission President.[10]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2020

Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama § District 1

In June 2020, Carl announced he would run for the 1st district, which was being vacated by incumbent and fellow Republican Bradley Byrne. He faced former state senator Bill Hightower, State Representative Chris Pringle, and two others in the Republican primary. Carl narrowly defeated Hightower in the primary, and they went to a runoff election.[11][12] Carl defeated Democratic nominee James Averhart in the general election with 64.4% of the vote.[13] The 1st has been in Republican hands without interruption since 1965, and the Democrats have only managed 40% of the vote once since then.[citation needed]

The 1st typically gives its incumbents very long tenures in Washington. When Carl took office on January 2, 2021, he became only the seventh person to hold the seat since 1919; all but one of his six predecessors held it for at least 10 years.[citation needed]

2022

Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama § District 1

Carl was reelected in 2022.[14][15]

2024

Main article: 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama § District 1

In 2024, redistricting as a result of Allen v. Milligan placed both Carl and fellow incumbent representative Barry Moore in the same district, setting up a primary in which Carl and Moore were both incumbents pitted against each other in the 1st district.[16] On October 30, 2023, Moore confirmed to 1819 News that he would run in the first congressional district, challenging Carl in the Republican primary.[17]

In the Republican primary on March 5, 2024, Carl lost the Republican nomination to Moore by 14.8%.[3]

Tenure

Jerry Carl explains why he opposed the American Rescue Plan in 2021.

117th Congress (2021–present)

One of Carl's first votes upon joining Congress was opposing the second impeachment of Donald Trump. He said he voted against impeachment because he believed the articles of impeachment "failed to reach the necessary threshold for impeachment." He also called impeachment "Nancy Pelosi's personal vendetta against President Trump."[18][dead link] Carl voted against the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, saying the bill was rushed after the passing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and that it was too big and would add to the increasing national debt.[19]

As of June 2023, Carl had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 9.7% of the time.[20]

Committee assignments

For the 118th Congress:[21]

Caucus memberships

Political positions

Selected roll call votes for Rep. Jerry Carl
Issue Vote Date Source
Object to PA electoral votes Yea January 7, 2021 [23]
Second Trump impeachment Nay January 13, 2021 [24]
Equality Act Nay February 25, 2021 [25]
For the People Act Nay March 3, 2021 [26]
DREAM Act Nay March 18, 2021 [27]
ESG Disclosure Simplification Act Nay June 16, 2021 [28]
Remove Capitol Confederate statues Nay June 29, 2021 [29]
End support for Saudis Nay September 23, 2021 [30]
Infrastructure Investment Act Nay November 5, 2021 [31]
Bipartisan Safer Communities Act Nay June 24, 2022 [32]
CHIPS and Science Act Nay July 28, 2022 [33]
Respect for Marriage Act Nay December 8, 2022 [34]

Carl is a self-described conservative.[35]

Abortion

Carl is anti-abortion, saying in a campaign advertisement that "it's immoral to stop a beating heart". He has similarly promised to "protect the unborn."[35] Carl called Roe v. Wade "disastrous" and supported its overturning in 2022.[36]

Economy

During the 2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis, Carl voted for the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.[37]

Immigration

In a 2020 television campaign advertisement, Carl said he would "stand with Trump, build the wall and end handouts for lawbreaking illegals."[35]

Israel

Carl says that Israel is "America's most important regional ally."[38] He supports its right to defend itself. He voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[39][40]

Gun control

Carl has said, "As a conservative, I'll stop liberals from destroying the Second Amendment."[35] In 2020, the NRA Political Victory Fund graded Carl "AQ" and endorsed him.[41][42] He was given an "A" grade and endorsed in 2022.[43]

Impeachment of Donald Trump

Carl voted against the second impeachment of Donald Trump, and voted to object to Pennsylvania's and Arizona's electors during the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count.[44]

Climate change

Carl opposed President Joe Biden's moratorium on oil and gas production, saying it would destroy as many as 24,000 jobs in Alabama.[45]

Vote to overturn 2020 election

On January 6, 2021, Carl was one of 147 Republican lawmakers who voted to overturn results in the 2020 presidential election.[46]

Electoral history

Electoral history of Jerry Carl
Year Office Party Primary General Result Swing
Total % P. Runoff % P. Total % P.
2020 U.S. Representative Republican 38,359 38.71% 1st 44,421 52.28% 1st 211,825 64.37% 1st Won Hold
2022 Republican Does not appear 140,592 83.61% 1st Won Hold

Personal life

Carl married Tina in 1981, and they have two children.[47] Carl is a Baptist.[48]

References

  1. ^ "Rep.-elect Jerry Carl (R-Ala.-01)". The Hill. November 30, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  2. ^ "CARL, JERRY LEE, JR – Candidate overview". FEC.gov.
  3. ^ a b Baker, Trent (March 5, 2024). "Live Updates: Alabama Super Tuesday". 1819 News. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  4. ^ "Jerry Carl". Alabama Republican Party. July 2, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  5. ^ Brannon, Michael (June 5, 2017). "1,500 jobs coming to Alabama as Amazon plans to open state's first sorting center". Sylacauga News.
  6. ^ McClendon, Robert (April 16, 2012). "Jerry Carl running on his business accomplishments in bid to top Mike Dean". AL.com.
  7. ^ McClendon, Robert (April 25, 2012). "Mobile County Commission: Mike Dean concedes to Jerry Carl (photo gallery)". AL.com.
  8. ^ "Businessman Jerry Carl wins District 3 Mobile County commissioner seat". AL.com. November 7, 2012.
  9. ^ "Carl claims victory in Mobile County Commission race". AL.com. March 2, 2016.
  10. ^ "Jerry Carl named new County Commission president". FOX10 News. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  11. ^ "Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl announces run for Congress". FOX10 News. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  12. ^ "Alabama Primary Election Results: First House District". The New York Times. March 3, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  13. ^ "Alabama Election Results: First Congressional District". The New York Times. November 3, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  14. ^ Tindell, Lisa (January 4, 2022). "Carl announces run for reelection". www.brewtonstandard.com. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  15. ^ "Alert: Republican Jerry Carl wins reelection to U.S. House in Alabama's 1st Congressional District". November 9, 2022. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  16. ^ Everett, Grayson (September 26, 2023). "Carl announces reelection bid after Fed-proposed map signals primary with Moore". Yellowhammer News. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  17. ^ Taylor, Caleb (October 30, 2023). "Barry Moore to challenge Jerry Carl for District 1 seat: 'I am a true conservative, and the system doesn't like a true conservative'". 1819 News. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  18. ^ "Rep. Jerry Carl explains his vote against impeaching Trump". FOX10 News. January 13, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  19. ^ Moseley, Brandon (February 8, 2021). "Carl votes against Democrats' $1.9 trillion budget framework". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  20. ^ Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (October 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  21. ^ "Jerry L. Carl". United States House of Representatives. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  22. ^ "Membership". Republican Study Committee. December 6, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  23. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 11". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  24. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 17". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  25. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 39". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  26. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 62". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  27. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 91". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  28. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 169". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  29. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 196". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  30. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 278". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  31. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 369". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  32. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 299". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  33. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 404". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  34. ^ "FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 513". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
  35. ^ a b c d "Jerry Carl releases second TV ad in AL-01, pledges to 'end handouts for lawbreaking illegals'". Yellowhammer News. February 3, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  36. ^ Carl, Jerry. ""I applaud the Supreme Court for overturning the disastrous Roe v. Wade decision! "The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.""". Twitter. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
  37. ^ "Raising the Debt Limit: See Who Voted For and Against". The New York Times. May 31, 2023. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved May 31, 2023.(subscription required)
  38. ^ "Carl: Israel is America's most important regional ally". Yellowhammer News. February 21, 2022. Archived from the original on February 21, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  39. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  40. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (October 25, 2023). "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved October 30, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  41. ^ "NRA-PVF | Grades | Alabama". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  42. ^ "Your vote defends freedom! – Please vote Jerry Carl for U.S. House!". www.nrapvf.org. Archived from the original on October 4, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  43. ^ "NRA-PVF | Grades | Alabama". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  44. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron (January 30, 2017). "Tracking Congress In The Age Of Trump". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  45. ^ Brandon Moseley (January 29, 2021). "Carl says Biden's moratorium on oil and gas leases on public lands will cost jobs". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  46. ^ Yourish, Karen; Buchanan, Larry; Lu, Denise (January 7, 2021). "The 147 Republicans Who Voted to Overturn Election Results". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  47. ^ "Coastal 150 endorses Jerry Carl for Congress". Alabama Political Reporter. June 4, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  48. ^ Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress (PDF) (Report). Pew Research Center. January 3, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.

External links

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 1st congressional district
2021–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
301st 		Succeeded by
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Carl