Based on results posted to the Alabama Secretary of State's office, former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) edged out State Rep. Rhett Marques (R-Enterprise) by nine points in a primary election that likely will not count.
Carl earned 32,650 votes (40.3%) to Marques' 25,197 votes (31.1%) in an election that was defined by geography, a hallmark of the 2024 race between Carl and U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise).
As was the case in the 2024 election, Carl showed strength in the congressional district's western counties (Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia) and Marques in the eastern counties (Henry, Dale, Houston, Geneva, Coffee). Marques beat Carl by 28 votes in Covington County, the geographic center of the current district.
Marques was boosted by an endorsement from U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Enterprise).
Earlier this month, the Alabama Legislature laid the groundwork for a special primary election in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais. Governor Kay Ivey issued the proclamation for special elections in Alabama's first, second, sixth and seventh districts to be held on August 11, with partisan qualifying beginning on Wednesday and ending on Friday.
Marques, along with declared candidates Joshua McKee and James Richardson, are opting to run for the GOP nod in AL-2. Carl, Austin Sidwell and Jimmy Dees are running in the first congressional district.
Results as follows:
Jerry Carl 40.28%
Rhett Marques 31.09%
Joshua McKee 9.03%
Austin Sidwell 7.17%
Jimmy Dees 5.17%
John Mills 3.75%
James Richardson 3.51%
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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