Congressman Jerry Carl is a Republican politician who represents Alabama’s 1st Congressional District. The district may be renumbered after redistricting maps are finalized, but the current district encompasses a southeastern region of Alabama that includes Mobile.
Jerry Carl began his political career in local government, serving on the Mobile County Commission from 2012 to 2020. During his tenure, he focused on issues such as economic development, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility, earning a reputation as a staunch fiscal conservative.
In 2020, Jerry Carl successfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, winning the seat for Alabama’s 1st congressional district. He brought his local government experience to the federal level, emphasizing the need for responsible government spending, limited government intervention, and a strong economy. Throughout his campaign and early tenure, he prioritized issues important to his district, such as support for the military, infrastructure improvements, and job creation.
As a Congressman, Jerry Carl is known for his conservative stance on many key issues, including his support for lower taxes, limited government regulation, and a strong national defense. He has also been active in addressing coastal and environmental issues affecting his district.
Carl was one of
Personal Background
Born on May 7, 1958, in Mobile, Alabama, Rep. Carl was raised by a single mother. To support his family, he learned the values of hard work at an early age. At the age of 25, he started his first of many businesses, then went on to create dozens of small businesses primarily dealing with home health care equipment and specialty pharmacies. Rep. Carl also had experience with timber management and real estate development.
Rep. Carl has been married to his wife, Tina, for more than 37 years. One son became Marine, another a successful Insurance agent, and their only daughter heard the call to become a teacher.Until his son joined the Marines, Jerry never had any ambition of getting involved in politics. When his son returned from Afghanistan, Jerry decided it was time to do more for his community.
On January 6, 2021, Carl was one of 147 Republican lawmakers who voted to overturn results in the 2020 presidential election
Educational Background
Rep. Carl attended Lake City Community College (now Florida Gateway College) for a time, but left to move back to Mobile and start his first business.
House Committees and Subcommittees
Stances on Social Issues:
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.” Carl called Roe v. Wade “disastrous” and supported its overturning in 2022.
Gun control
arl has said, “As a conservative, I’ll stop liberals from destroying the Second Amendment.” In 2020, the NRA Political Victory Fund graded Carl “AQ” and endorsed him. He was given an “A” grade and endorsed in 2022. He supports national concealed carry reciprocity, opposes legislation criminalizing the private transfer of firearms between friends and family members. He supports the due process rights of all Americans and will fight any attempts to put individuals on secret government lists barring them from owning a firearm.
Stances on Foreign Policy
Carl says that Israel is “America’s most important regional ally.” In a 2020 television campaign advertisement, Carl said he would “stand with Trump, build the wall and end handouts for lawbreaking illegals.” Carl opposes any efforts that would provide amnesty to those who have illegally entered our country.
Stances on Economic Issues
During the 2023 United States debt-ceiling crisis, Carl voted for the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. He voted against Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and he voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Sponsored Legislation, Amendments, Bills, Resolutions
- 1. H.R.1442 — 118th Congress (2023-2024) No Pensions for Lying Bureaucrats Act
- H.R.897 — 118th Congress (2023-2024) Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act
- H.R.356 — 118th Congress (2023-2024)
Unleashing American Energy Act - 4. H.Res.732 — 118th Congress (2023-2024) Expressing support for the designation of September 30, 2023, through October 7, 2023, as “National Student Athlete Mental Health Week”.
- 5. H.R.7285 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) Unleashing American Energy Act
- 6. H.R.7201 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) Earn Your Keep Act
- H.R.7200 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) No Pensions for Lying Bureaucrats Act
- H.R.6148 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) Alabama Underwater Forest National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act
- H.R.5983 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) Veterans Health Flexibility Act
- H.R.5970 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) Dormant Government Program Accountability Act
- . H.R.5969 — 117th Congress (2021-2022)Border Security is National Security Act of 2021
- H.R.2131 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) Gulf Conservation and Recreation Funding Act
- H.R.1445 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) American Heritage Protection Act of 2021
- H.Res.487 — 117th Congress (2021-2022) Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives the President of the United States should remove Dr. Anthony Fauci from his positions as the President’s Chief Medical Advisor and as the Director of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Since 2004, O’Hern has worked with political campaigns in roles ranging from major projects involving nationwide digital marketing for U.S. Presidential candidates, U.S. Congressmen, state governors, and state representatives. O’Hern’s journalism background includes news reporting and editing for various organizations and news publications in Alabama and Florida since 2002. O’Hern graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science.