Jerry Carl

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Jerry Carl
Rep. Jerry Carl official photo.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Alabama's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Preceded byBradley Byrne
Personal details
Born (1958-06-17) June 17, 1958 (age 63)
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)
Tina Carl
​
(m. 1981)​
Children2
Signature
WebsiteHouse website

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. He served as a member of the Mobile County Commission from 2012 to 2020.

In 2019, Carl announced his candidacy for House seat being vacated by incumbent Republican representative Bradley Byrne. He faced former State Senator Bill Hightower, Alabama House of Representatives member Chris Pringle, and two others in the Republican primary. Carl narrowly defeated Hightower in the primary, and they to a runoff election.[3][4] Carl defeated Hightower to win the nomination and defeated Democrat James Averhart in the general election.

Carl is one of 147 Republican lawmakers who voted to overturn results in the 2020 presidential election.[5]

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.[6][7]

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.[8] He defeated incumbent Mike Dean in the Republican primary election in April,[9] and won the general election in November.[10] He was reelected over Margie Wilcox in 2016.[11] In 2019, Carl was selected to serve as Commission President.[12]

U.S. House of Representatives[]

Elections[]

2020[]

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

After defeating State Senator Bill Hightower in the July 14 Republican runoff, Carl defeated Democratic nominee James Averhart in the general election with 64.4% of the vote.[13]

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."[14] Carl voted against the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, saying the bill was "rushed" too soon after the passing of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and that it was too big and would add to the increasing national debt.[15]

As of October 2021, Carl had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 7.5% of the time.[16]

Committee assignments[]

Caucus memberships[]

  • Republican Study Committee[17]

Political positions[]

Carl is a self-described conservative.[18]

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."[18]

Immigration[]

Carl supports the Trump wall on the U.S.–Mexico border, saying, "Jerry will stand with Trump, build the wall and end handouts for lawbreaking illegals."[18]

Gun control[]

Carl has said, "As a conservative, he'll stop liberals from destroying the Second Amendment."[18] The National Rifle Association's Political Victory Fund endorsed him in 2020, claiming that he supports right to carry legislation.[19]

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.[20]

Climate change[]

Carl opposed President Joe Biden's moratorium on oil and gas production, claiming it would destroy as many as 24,000 jobs in Alabama.[21]

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.[22]

Electoral history[]

Republican primary results, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jerry Carl 38,359 38.7
Republican Bill Hightower 37,133 37.5
Republican Chris Pringle 19,053 19.2
Republican Wes Lambert 3,084 3.1
Republican John Castorani 1,465 1.5
Total votes 99,094 100.0
Republican primary runoff results, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jerry Carl 44,421 52.3
Republican Bill Hightower 40,552 47.7
Total votes 84,973 100.0
Alabama's 1st congressional district, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jerry Carl 211,825 64.4
Democratic James Averhart 116,949 35.5
Write-in 301 0.1
Total votes 329,075 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life[]

Carl married Tina in 1981, and they have two children.[23]

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. ^ "Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl announces run for Congress". FOX10 News. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  4. ^ "Alabama Primary Election Results: First House District". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Jerry Carl". Alabama Republican Party. July 2, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  7. ^ Brannon, Michael (June 5, 2017). "1,500 jobs coming to Alabama as Amazon plans to open state's first sorting center". Sylacauga News.
  8. ^ Contributor, Robert McClendon | AL com (April 16, 2012). "Jerry Carl running on his business accomplishments in bid to top Mike Dean". al.
  9. ^ Contributor, Robert McClendon | AL com (April 25, 2012). "Mobile County Commission: Mike Dean concedes to Jerry Carl (photo gallery)". al.
  10. ^ "Businessman Jerry Carl wins District 3 Mobile County commissioner seat". al. November 7, 2012.
  11. ^ "Carl claims victory in Mobile County Commission race". al. March 2, 2016.
  12. ^ "Jerry Carl named new County Commission president". FOX10 News. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  13. ^ "Alabama Election Results: First Congressional District". The New York Times. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  14. ^ "Rep. Jerry Carl explains his vote against impeaching Trump". FOX10 News. January 13, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  15. ^ Moseley, Brandon (February 8, 2021). "Carl votes against Democrats' $1.9 trillion budget framework". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  16. ^ Bycoffe, Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron (October 22, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  17. ^ "Membership". Republican Study Committee. December 6, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ "Your vote defends freedom! – Please vote Jerry Carl for U.S. House!". www.nrapvf.org. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  20. ^ Bycoffe, Aaron (January 30, 2017). "Tracking Congress In The Age Of Trump". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ "Coastal 150 endorses Jerry Carl for Congress". Alabama Political Reporter. June 4, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.

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
Kat Cammack
 United States representatives by seniority
380th 		Succeeded by
Madison Cawthorn
Retrieved from ""