ORANGE BEACH — U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) made an appearance alongside State Rep. Rhett Marques (R-Enterprise) in Orange Beach to voice support for his Alabama's first congressional district campaign.
"We're campaigning, making sure that the region knows that he [Marques] is the America First warrior that President Trump and I need to get the job done in D.C.," said Britt. "Look, we've got a lot ahead of us. We've got to make sure that we are driving down cost for Americans, make sure that life is more affordable for Alabamians. We've got to make sure that we're rolling back regulation and that we are actually making things happen and we need someone that is willing to fight and willing to actually get things done, and that's Rhett."
The pair spoke to the media and held a roundtable discussion with elected officials from Baldwin County, including Sheriff Anthony Lowery, Commissioner and sheriff candidate Matt McKenzie, Commissioner Billie Jo Underwood, Commissioner Jeb Ball, Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft, and State Rep. Matt Simpson (R-Daphne).
Britt already maxed out the $10,000 allowable from her Alabama First Leadership PAC to Marques' campaign. The senator said she is supporting Marques because she believes he is willing to fight for the people.
"When I look at what is best for the district and for the state and for the nation moving forward, having someone like Rhett – who look at his leadership during COVID, making sure he was pushing back at government overreach – I mean, small business owner himself, he understands that the best thing the government can do in most every situation is get out of the way and work diligently to put money back in taxpayers' pockets."
Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) is also running once again for his old seat representing Alabama's first congressional district.
Carl represented the district until redistricting pitted him against U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) last year. Moore took the seat but is now running for U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-Auburn) seat. Tuberville is running for Alabama governor.
Also in the race for the Republican primary is decorated military veteran Joshua McKee, of Robertsdale.
According to a report from Inside Alabama Politics earlier this week, Britt apparently opted to back Marques over his opponent, Carl, because of his lame-duck voting record in 2024. However, Britt said she was supporting the candidate with a proven record of building bridges.
"I think the people of Alabama have seen that I put them first at every turn, that I fight on the daily to make sure that our values and our people are taken care of," Britt told 1819 News. "When that means late nights, when that means working through the weekend, when that means trying to figure out how to get the government reopened so that people in Alabama not only receive paychecks, but SNAP benefits go out and airplanes stay in the sky, I do what it takes to make sure that Alabama's values and people come first.
"And when I'm looking at this race, what I know is that I need a partner, someone in the Alabama delegation that is willing to put in the same work that I put in, to roll up their sleeves, to talk to people, to listen, and is unafraid of a fight," Britt continued. "And so I know that Rhett Marcus will be that man and I look forward to him fighting for President Trump, for the American people, for the people of our great state and most importantly, this district where he was born and raised in Baldwin County and has raised his family in the wiregrass, knowing it well, knowing that it's personal to him and knowing that he'll put in that work and stand for the America First Agenda and lockstep with me.
"That's what I need, and that's what I know I'm getting with Rhett Marcus."
Marques said the endorsement gave his campaign an instant boost.
"We know we're going to work together and we're going to fight together," said Marques. "But it was really an exciting endorsement and we couldn't have been happier. It got us right off the ground. It gave us instant credibility."
Top priorities for Marques are cutting taxes, protecting families and children, supporting the military, veterans and law enforcement and fighting for small business owners.
Marques, who was born and raised in Baldwin County, said he was happy to gather with local officials to hear what issues they want to prioritize.
"I'm going to support President Trump's agenda and help Senator Britt and the rest of the Alabama delegation to move Alabama forward and make sure that their priorities, needs and values are taken care of," Marques said.
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