Jerry Carl (R-Ala.) is projected to advance to the general election for Alabama’s 1st Congressional District after winning the GOP nomination in the primary held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Carl, who previously represented the district from 2021 to 2025, defeated three other Republican candidates to succeed outgoing Rep. Barry Moore, who is running for the U.S. Senate.

The race is considered solidly Republican by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, making Carl the likely next representative for the district. Moore won the Republican runoff for Senate in Alabama last month and is on track to replace the current senator.

In the 2024 GOP primary, Moore defeated Carl following a redrawing of Alabama’s congressional district lines. That year, Carl attracted national attention when he stated during a debate with Moore that “everyone has some type of racist in them.”

Carl’s primary victory marks his return to Congress, filling the seat vacated by Moore’s Senate bid.

Sources