Vacancies in Alabama’s 1st Congressional District

There are currently openings in the U.S. House of Representatives across nine counties within Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.

Instead of opting for an easy re-election, Rep. Barry Moore from Enterprise is pursuing the vacancy created by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is positioning himself for the Alabama gubernatorial seat in 2026.

Two candidates competing in the May 19, 2026 primary for the Republican spot went head-to-head on Thursday at the Eastern Shore Republican Women’s Club, which had a full house at the Fairhope Yacht Club.

Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Kahl, who once represented Mobile, is eager to reclaim the seat he lost in 2024.

A federal court mandated a redrawing of district boundaries, which will align U.S. Rep. Barry Moore with Kahl in 2023. This unusual matchup saw two current Congress members pitted against each other. Moore managed to win a narrow contest, and Kahl stepped down in January 2025.

State Rep. Rhett Marquez from Coffee County, who just began his congressional campaign in August, has a background in lawmaking and business. Having grown up in Baldwin County, he may resonate well with voters in the recently restructured district.

Moore vacated his seat in the Alabama House of Representatives to run for Congress in 2018, while Marquez was then elected to that position. Re-elected in 2022, he faces another election in 2026 but has chosen to focus on this new congressional opportunity instead.

Josh McKee, a veteran of the U.S. Special Forces from Baldwin County, reportedly missed the forum due to scheduling issues. It’s worth noting that more candidates could enter the race prior to the qualifying deadline on January 23, 2026.

The representative for the 1st District will play a vital role during the last two years of President Donald Trump’s term. It will be essential to see through Trump’s policies and upcoming initiatives during this limited timeframe.

Kahl mentioned that he has been communicating with House Speaker Mike Johnson and can anticipate getting his seniority and committee roles back if re-elected.

One of Kahl’s committee roles would be on the powerful appropriations committee, which allocates funds for military contracts at the Port of Mobile, the I-10 Bayway Bridge, and Fort Rucker.

“Serving as a Congressman for four years, I held positions on various important committees. Speaker Johnson confirmed that if I get back into office, I’ll regain my seniority. That’s significant for this district,” Kahl expressed.

“I’ve received accolades from multiple conservative groups in Washington, and I’ve been endorsed by President Trump for my values and voting record,” he added.

“This is Trump’s last two years in office, which some might call a lame duck period,” Kahl noted.

Marquez has served seven years in the Alabama House and spent over two decades in the tire business, which he sold in 2023.

Kahl has a notable background in the private sector, especially in healthcare and medical devices. He was elected twice and has served on the Mobile County Commission and the Alabama Port Authority.

Marquez mentioned his origins in Spanish Fort and his graduation from Fairhope High School in 1990.

Both candidates are proponents of abolishing the federal Department of Education.

“I believe parents should decide how their children are educated, be it through homeschooling, private, or public schools,” Marquez stated, sharing about his public school background and his daughters’ education. “I fully back Trump’s stance on this issue.”

“Education is best handled at state and local levels. We know our children better than far-off bureaucrats with a one-size-fits-all plan,” Marquez remarked.

Kahl echoed similar sentiments, advocating for the immediate closure of the Department of Education. He criticized the federal government’s approach to education based on past experiences in Congress, illustrating a story about books sent to a local school incorrectly.

“They mistakenly delivered them to my office rather than the school. I went through them and was shocked by some of the content, especially for young children,” Kahl recounted, noting concerns about inappropriate material. “That’s not reflective of our community here.”

“The Department is bloated; we need to cut it down and let states manage their own education funds more effectively,” Kahl added.

“My daughter’s had to provide basic supplies for her class—things like toilet paper—which I think teachers would appreciate,” he remarked.

The nine counties that comprise Alabama’s 1st Congressional District include Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and portions of Mobile counties.