Club for Growth, a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit, has entered the first congressional district race in support of U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise).
The Club for Growth PAC, School Freedom Fund, secured $581,000 in an advertisement supporting Moore in the final two weeks of the race, according to filings shown to 1819 News. The media buy covers the entire AL-1 district but mostly focuses on the Mobile media market. All opposing U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile).
Club for Growth supported Moore in his first successful election for the second congressional district in 2020 against Jeff Coleman and his previous campaign in 2022.
The group also supported former State Sen. Bill Hightower with over $1 million against Carl in the 2020 AL-1 race. Hightower has also resurfaced recently in South Alabama campaigning in support of Moore in the current AL-1 race.
Early in the race, the Moore campaign declined support from Club for Growth, citing "antagonism" toward former President Donald Trump.
In a previous statement given to 1819 News, a Moore campaign spokesman said the congressman would forgo Club for Growth's support, citing "antagonism" toward Trump.
"Barry Moore was the first elected official in the country to publicly endorse President Trump in 2015 and has supported him 100% since then," the spokesman said. "Club for Growth's antagonism towards President Trump led Congressman Moore to decline their endorsement or support for this election."
Club's participation in the first congressional district contest coincides with a partial cancelation from House Freedom Fund in both the Mobile-Pensacola and Dothan TV markets, according to data posted on the Federal Communications Commission's website.
The Republican primary will be held on March 5.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email Bradley.cox@1819news.com.
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