U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise (left), faces Democratic nominee Tom Holmes in next month’s election in the 1th Congressional District. (Left: Office of U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer; Right: Courtesy Tom Holmes)
U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, is set to face Democratic challenger Tom Holmes for Alabama’s 1st Congressional District.
Moore, who currently represents Alabama’s 2nd District but is running in the 1st due to redistricting, is an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump who has been vocal in his criticism of President Joe Biden’s policies, particularly federal spending and energy.
Speaking recently at a Montgomery Chamber of Commerce event, Moore criticized Biden for what he calls the “weaponization” of federal agencies like the Department of Justice and the IRS. He also blamed the administration for rising energy costs, which he argues are driving inflation.
“When energy fuel costs go up, folks, everything you do, whether you build a house or buy a car, the petroleum investment is higher,” Moore told attendees.
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Holmes, a former state government employee and former CEO and executive director of The Arc of Alabama, an organization advocating for disabled people, is positioning himself as a voice for the marginalized, citing issues like health care, reproductive rights, and voting access as central to his campaign.
“I’ve been a long-time advocate and leader for services for people who are marginalized, people with disabilities, seniors, and other marginalized groups. I don’t think they feel like they have a voice in Congress, so I’m hoping to be that for them,” Holmes said.
The district, redrawn last year as part of a court order to give Black voters in the 2nd Congressional District a chance to elect their preferred leaders, is solidly Republican, according to the Cook Report. It includes most of the Wiregrass — including Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Henry and Houston counties — as well as coastal Baldwin County and parts of Mobile County.
In an interview, Holmes said he’s concerned with Moore’s approach to securing federal funding for district projects, particularly infrastructure improvements in Mobile and Baldwin counties, areas added to the 1st Congressional District following redistricting. Holmes criticized Moore’s voting record and his reluctance to secure federal dollars for local projects, such as the Bayway Bridge, saying, “there’s been some funds allocated, but it’s not enough.”
“Representative Moore has no experience representing Mobile or Baldwin counties,” Holmes said. “We need someone from this area representing this district in Congress.”
Moore’s campaign did not return requests for comment.
Moore has also criticized U.S. support for Ukraine, suggesting that funds would be better spent domestically.
“They told him no on the wall, $5 billion, and now we spend $176 billion in Ukraine. I think there’s some ways there,” he said in early September.
On health policy, Holmes backs expanding Medicaid and increasing access to health care, especially for rural communities and said he supports reestablishing a financial incentive for Alabama to take up the program, arguing that Alabama’s refusal to expand Medicaid has been detrimental to both patients and the state’s health care infrastructure.
Holmes also said he supports codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law, even though he is personally anti-abortion.
“I’m pro-life, but I don’t believe the government should make health decisions for people,” Holmes said.
Moore in June received an A+ score from the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America for his anti-abortion voting record in Congress.
Moore has raised roughly 100 times more in fundraising than Holmes, with $1,083,780 in campaign contributions as of September 30, which includes his primary campaign against Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile, compared to $10,275 that Holmes has raised.
Holmes said he is frustrated with what he called a “partisan” approach in Washington and said he hopes to appeal to voters who feel underserved by Moore.
“We have people in Washington, like Representative Moore, who are obstructionists,” Holmes said. “They’re not willing to work across the aisle to come up with solutions.”
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