Congressman Mo Brooks addressed campaign ads and rhetoric, as well as his relationship with President Donald Trump, before the River Region Republicans in Montgomery.
In a quaint café in downtown Montgomery, Brooks was hosted by a group of Republicans from the area. Brooks took to the podium to discuss what he believes sets him apart from his opponents in the ongoing race for United States Senate.
According to polling from 1819 News, Brooks is currently ranked third behind Mike Durant and Katie Britt, who are also running for the seat.
Brooks continues to assert that he is the only real Republican option for voters in the state. He also believes he has the most consistent voting record along conservative lines among his opponents and most of his fellow congressmen.
"I've been at the point of the spear for the Republican party," Brooks said. "You don't have to question whether I share our values because I was running at a time, as a Republican, when it was a whole lot easier to pretend to be a Democrat and get elected. But I chose our party and our values because I believe we are a political party, not a social club. And, as a political party, we have values that we believe in, and those are the values that I believe in, and that's why I am a Republican to this day."
Brooks was aggressive in addressing the campaign ads against him, specifically those that have come from Katie Britt.
"I'm having to fight with these deceitful, lying campaign ads," Brooks said.
According to Brooks, the various ads feature several claims, including that Brooks is anti-military and supports Islamic terrorism in the Middle East.
"I've been elected to public office 14 times," Brooks said. "Which part of the state of Alabama has more military jobs than any other? Huntsville, the Tennessee Valley. Now think for a moment. Would those folks have elected 14 different times a public servant who is anti-military, and for the Islamic State, and for Al Queda, and loves Nancy Pelosi? So, I beseech you to encourage the people you talk with to think. If people think a little bit, then you will very readily discern the lies that are in the Katie Britt team's ads."
Brooks believes that his record on taxes significantly separates him from the competition, especially Britt. He highlighted his record fighting increased taxation against Britt's record of lobbying for the statewide gas tax and other statewide tax increases.
"She has publicly supported a 20% increase in the income tax rates of you, the citizens of Alabama," Brooks said. "She has publicly supported higher property taxes by restructuring the property tax formulas. Katie Britt has publicly supported a 25% car sales tax increase. Katie Britt has publicly supported a new 4% sales tax on your automobile repairs, whether it be maintenance or collision... She was for doubling tobacco taxes. She was for a 43% higher tax on utility gross receipts, which means your utility bills. She was for doubling the taxes on real estate transactions... And she was for doubling car lease taxes."
Brooks also pointed out that he voted against the former U.S. Senator Doug Jones. According to Brooks, the election of Doug Jones prevented the U.S. Senate from repealing Obama care.
"I'm the only one who voted against Doug Jones," Brooks said. "Now, in fairness to Katie Britt, she says, 'Well, I wasn't living in Alabama at the time, I was living and working in [Washington] D.C.' Well, that kind of brings up the question as to how she voted in the Republican primary."
Brooks also drew attention to the fact that Richard Shelby, who holds the office Brooks is seeking, was instrumental in getting Jones elected.
"Richard Shelby went on national TV and encouraged our Republican voters to stay at home or write in somebody else and not vote against Doug Jones," Brooks said. "Now, who was Richard Shelby's Chief of Staff implementing that plan? Katie Britt."
Brooks addressed the tension that has been brewing between himself and former President Donald Trump.
Since the beginning of the race, rumors spread concerning Trump's confidence in Brooks. On Tuesday, March 22, Trump announced that he would be rescinding his endorsement of Brooks.
Brooks has since released a statement on Trump pulling his endorsement.
"It's disappointing that, just like in 2017, President Trump lets Mitch McConnell manipulate him again," Brooks said. "Every single negative TV ad against our campaign has come from McConnell and his allies. I wish President Trump wouldn't fall for McConnell's ploys, but, once again, he has.
"... I'm still the most conservative candidate in the race. Katie Britt's campaign is supported and funded by McConnell allies, and she's still a high taxing, open borders, cheap foreign labor, Chamber of Commerce lobbyist."
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
