Monday, Congressional candidate Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl (R) was endorsed by State Representative Chris Pringle, R-Mobile. Pringle finished third in last Tuesday’s Republican primary for Alabama’s First Congressional District. Carl is in the March 31 Republican primary runoff election with former State Senator Bill Hightower.
“I am confident Jerry Carl will go to Congress and stand with President Trump,” Pringle said in a statement. “I know Jerry – he’s tough, he has a backbone, and he has what it takes to build the wall, defend the unborn, and fight for the interests of South Alabama.”
“Bill Hightower is being funded by the original Never Trump organization who attacked President Trump,” continued Pringle. “They are funneling over $500,000 to his campaign and running false ads attacking Jerry. When I met with the Club for Growth, they demanded a commitment from me to vote against critical legislation to our communities such as the Farm Bill and the National Flood Insurance Program. It was clear to me that to receive their endorsement, I would need to make promises that would harm our area businesses and citizens. The Club for Growth’s lack of interest in South Alabama is troubling to me and I cannot in good conscience support a candidate backed by this outside DC money group.”
“Chris is a friend, a strong conservative, and someone who is in office for the right reasons – to get things done for our community,’ Carl said in response. “I’m honored to have his endorsement. South Alabama needs someone with a backbone who will stand with President Trump, and I know Chris has seen me fight to protect our conservative way of life. I am honored to have Chris Pringle’s endorsement.”
Wes Lambert has also endorsed Jerry Carl.
In the Republican primary on March 3, Jerry Carl received 38,359 votes (38.71 percent), Bill Hightower received 37,133 votes (37.47 percent), Chris Pringle 19,053 (19.23 percent), Wes Lambert 3,084 (3.11 percent), and John Castorani 1,465 (1.48 percent).
The winner of the Republican primary runoff will face the winner of the Democratic primary runoff in the general election on November 3.
On the Democratic side, Kiani A. Gardner had 22,962 votes (44.07 percent), James Averhart 21,022 (40.35 percent), Rick Collins 8,119 votes (15.58 percent). Gardner and Averhart are running in the Democratic primary.
There were 99,094 votes cast in the Republican primary, while only 52,103 people voted in the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Congressman Bradley Byrne, R-Montrose, chose to run for Senate instead of running for another term in Congress.
