The Alabama Farmers Federation’s political action committee, FarmPAC, announced Tuesday they have endorsed Mobile County Commissioner Jerry Carl in Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
“We take pride in being a grassroots organization with local leaders driving the endorsement process,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “After careful consideration, county Federations in southwest Alabama made their recommendation, and I am pleased to announce the Alabama Farmers Federation has endorsed Jerry Carl. Alabama’s 1st Congressional district has a rich heritage rooted in agriculture and timber, and Jerry will be a strong advocate from those industries in Washington.”
Carl expressed his appreciation for the federation’s endorsement.
“It is an incredible honor to have the endorsement of the Alabama Farmers Federation,” Carl said. “With agriculture being our state’s largest industry, our farmers are the backbone of our state and our economy. They represent the hard-working interests of the district that I will fight for in Congress as we work to get our economy back on track. The Federation knows I will fight tirelessly for the president’s agenda and will do what is needed to support the hard-working men and women who put food on our tables and clothes on our backs.”
Congressional endorsements are recommended by county federations in each district based on the candidates’ positions on key issues impacting farmers and rural Alabama.
Carl is running in the Republican primary runoff against former State Sen. Bill Hightower.
The 1st Congressional District is open because incumbent Rep. Bradley Byrne is not seeking re-election.
The eventual winner of the Republican nomination will face the winner of the Democratic Party primary runoff in the November 3 general election. The Democratic runoff is between Kiani Gardner and James Averhart.
Other candidates in the July 14 runoff races endorsed by the Federation include Tommy Tuberville for U.S. Senate, Jeff Coleman in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District and incumbent Judge Beth Kellum for Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2.
The Federation encourages voters concerned about casting a vote in person to follow guidance from Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill.
“Amid coronavirus concerns, it is important to remember that Alabamians who are concerned about contracting or spreading an illness have the opportunity to avoid the polls on Election Day by casting an absentee ballot,” Merrill said. “Alabamians can access the application online or by visiting or calling their local Absentee Election Manager’s office.”
