Colbert County Commissioner Tommy Barnes is challenging U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) in the Republican primary for Congressional District 4 in 2026.
Barnes, a recently retired civil operations manager at Sheffield Utilities who has served 10 years on the Colbert County Commission, said he’s been “gaining great support” on the campaign trail. Aderholt has represented the district since 1997.
“Looking forward to a good campaign. I’m going to really become more vocal in September after the mayoral elections,” Barnes told 1819 News in a recent interview. “I think my best attribute is being personable, greeting people and understanding the needs of all society. I’m going to hit every county. I’m going to hit every event I can get. I’ve been blessed with great energy. I just retired August 1, so just gearing up with my team being formed.”
He continued, “I think people are tired of the status quo. I think term limits need to be dramatically addressed as far as the amount of time which people from both the House and the Senate have.”
“I think the Republican Party, unfortunately, is becoming a buddy system too, and we’ve got to keep that from happening. It needs to be a group of qualified individuals that run our country that are not only just big names, but they need to have the credentials to run,” Barnes added.
Barnes specifically mentioned energy, environmental and tourism as policy areas he wanted to focus on if elected.
“I don’t think we are highlighting Alabama in a way that has so much more potential in District 4 whether it be our lakes and our rivers and our streams, and also our potential development of parks that are pristine instead of just half-ass run,” Barnes said. “I do believe our National Parks are an important and vital thing. I don’t have a problem with optimization, but some of the jobs that they’re eliminating, how are you being specific? Just cutting is one thing, but are you cutting the right agencies, personnel? I think we need to know what works and what doesn’t work.”
Barnes mentioned the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as a possible spending cut lawmakers should consider.
“They didn’t hit certain areas that they probably should've, especially with TVA. I think TVA needs optimization more than as much as anyone to be focused on the needs of people more than just a jobs (program).There’s a place for TVA, but if they don’t up the bar, they should be privatized,” Barnes said.
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