Jerry Carl Jr.

Jerry L. Carl is an American politician and businessman who served as the U.S. Representative for Alabama's 1st congressional district from January 2021 until January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Carl succeeded in his political career after serving on the Mobile County Commission from 2012 to 2020, where he held the position of president in his final two years. His congressional district encompasses parts of Mobile and the entirety of Alabama's Gulf Coast, a region characterized by its significant economic and cultural contributions to the state.

Early life and career

Jerry L. Carl was born on June 17, 1958, in Mobile, Alabama. He completed his secondary education at Sylacauga High School, graduating in 1977. Following high school, Carl attended Lake City Community College, which is now known as Florida Gateway College. However, he left before completing his degree to return to Mobile, where he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey.

Carl began his career working for Alabama Power, where he gained experience in the utility sector. He later transitioned to the Burford Equipment Company and took on various sales roles within Mobile. In 1989, he founded Stat Medical, a healthcare equipment business that marked the beginning of his ventures into entrepreneurship. Over the years, he expanded his business interests, taking on managerial roles at Rotech Medical and establishing a real estate development firm. In 2003, he founded Carl and Associates, a management group, and subsequently started Cricket and Butterfly, LLC, a lumber and timber company.

Carl's entry into politics began with his successful campaign for the Mobile County Commission in 2012. He won the Republican primary against the incumbent, Mike Dean, and subsequently secured victory in the general election held in November of that year. He was re-elected in 2016, defeating his opponent Margie Wilcox. During his tenure on the commission, Carl was elected president in 2019, a role that allowed him to influence local governance and policy-making.

House tenure

Carl announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2020, seeking to fill the seat being vacated by fellow Republican Bradley Byrne. In a competitive Republican primary, Carl faced several opponents, including former state senator Bill Hightower and State Representative Chris Pringle. After a closely contested primary, Carl advanced to a runoff election, where he ultimately secured the Republican nomination. In the general election, he defeated Democratic nominee James Averhart with a significant majority of the vote.

Carl officially took office on January 2, 2021, becoming the seventh individual to represent Alabama's 1st congressional district since 1919. His election continued the district's long-standing Republican representation, which has been uninterrupted since 1965. Carl was re-elected in 2022, facing no Democratic challenger and defeating a Libertarian candidate.

In 2024, following redistricting resulting from the Allen v. Milligan case, Carl found himself in a primary contest against fellow incumbent Barry Moore. Despite retaining a significant portion of his previous district, Carl lost the Republican nomination to Moore in the primary election held in March 2024.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Carl aligned himself with conservative values and policies. One of his early actions in Congress was to vote against the second impeachment of then-President Donald Trump, citing his belief that the impeachment articles did not meet the necessary threshold. He also opposed the American Rescue Plan, arguing that it was hastily constructed and would contribute to the national debt.

Throughout his congressional career, Carl maintained a voting record that reflected a conservative stance on various issues. As of January 2023, he had voted in alignment with President Joe Biden's stated position approximately 9.7% of the time. This statistic highlights the partisan divide that often characterizes legislative decision-making in Congress.

Carl served on several committees during his tenure, including the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Natural Resources. Within the Appropriations Committee, he participated in subcommittees focused on agriculture, financial services, and foreign operations, among others. His involvement in these committees allowed him to engage in discussions and decisions regarding federal funding and resource management.

In addition to his committee assignments, Carl was a member of the Republican Study Committee, a group that promotes conservative policies within the House of Representatives. His political positions included a strong anti-abortion stance, advocating for the protection of unborn lives and expressing opposition to Roe v. Wade. He also supported measures related to immigration, gun rights, and U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding Israel.

Carl's legislative actions included voting for the Fiscal Responsibility Act during the 2023 debt-ceiling crisis, reflecting his commitment to fiscal conservatism. He emphasized his support for Second Amendment rights and received endorsements from the National Rifle Association during his campaigns.

As of November 2025, Carl is preparing to run for his former congressional seat in the upcoming 2026 elections, following the retirement of Barry Moore, who is pursuing a Senate seat. His ongoing political aspirations indicate a continued commitment to public service and representation for the constituents of Alabama's 1st congressional district.