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Republican Jerry Carl Leads AL-1 Primary Race
Significant undecided bloc represents opportunity and vulnerability for candidates
Published on Feb. 8, 2026
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A new poll shows Republican Jerry Carl leading the GOP primary race for Alabama's First Congressional District, with 25.2% of likely Republican primary voters saying they would vote for him. Alabama Rep. Rhett Marques and Joshua McKee trail with 9.2% and 8.8% respectively, while a significant majority of 56.8% of voters remain undecided.
Why it matters
The AL-1 race is an important one, as the winner of the Republican primary will likely go on to win the general election in this conservative district. The large undecided bloc represents an opportunity for the candidates to define themselves and their campaigns, but also a vulnerability as voters remain open to persuasion.
The details
Carl, who previously served two terms in the U.S. House, is leading the race largely due to name recognition. However, Marques, who is endorsed by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, may be able to gain ground as Britt's endorsement appears to carry more weight with some GOP voters than a Trump endorsement.
- The Alabama Poll surveyed 400 likely Republican primary voters on January 23, 2026.
- The primary election is scheduled for May 19, 2026.
The players
Jerry Carl
A former two-term U.S. Representative who is currently leading the GOP primary race for Alabama's First Congressional District.
Rhett Marques
A two-term Alabama House member from Enterprise who is endorsed by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt.
Joshua McKee
A candidate in the GOP primary race for Alabama's First Congressional District.
Katie Britt
A U.S. Senator who has endorsed Rhett Marques in the AL-1 primary race.
Donald Trump
The former U.S. President whose endorsement appears to be less influential with some GOP voters than a Britt endorsement.
What’s next
The primary election is scheduled for May 19, 2026, so the candidates will continue to campaign and work to define themselves and their campaigns in the coming months.
The takeaway
This race highlights the importance of name recognition and the ability to define oneself early on, as well as the shifting dynamics within the Republican party where a Britt endorsement may carry more weight than a Trump endorsement with some voters. The large undecided bloc represents both an opportunity and a vulnerability for the candidates as they work to secure the GOP nomination.
