NEW BROCKTON — Saturday before a few hundred people gathered at the Coffee County Farm Center for a pro-free speech rally, U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) endorsed his congressional colleague U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) in his bid for the U.S. Senate seat up in 2022.
The freshman congressman’s endorsement is the first high-profile state endorsement of the 2022 campaign cycle. Earlier this week, Brooks received an endorsement from former President Donald Trump.
Moore credited Brooks with being one of the first elected officials in Alabama to support what many saw as a long-shot candidacy for Alabama’s second congressional district Republican nod in 2020 but ended up being a rout for Moore in a runoff election against Dothan businessman Jeff Coleman.
“Let me tell y’all a story about Mo Brooks,” Moore said. “When I was running — not one establishment association supported me. They said, ‘Barry can’t win. He doesn’t have the money.’ Well, Mo Brooks — a good friend of mine — said I’m going to endorse him anyway. I’m going to stand in the fire with him. I’m going to get the House Freedom Caucus — Jim Jordan and Andy Biggs, and those guys on board, and we’re going to help this man represent his district rather than let the powerbrokers control. So, Mo Brooks was that single individual from the state who was an elected official that stepped up.”
“And so today, I’m going to return the favor. I’m going to step up and endorse Mo Brooks, one of the finest men I know. Y’all talk about a patriot under fire — January 6, when we were all concerned about the election results, I was like, who do we turn to? I’m a freshman. I’ve been here three days. This man brought it to the floor, fighting for the integrity of the United States and the presidential election. He’s my man. I’m endorsing him today for Congress. Thank you, Mo Brooks.”
In a statement accompanying the endorsement, Moore touted Brooks’ conservative bona fides in his role as the representative for the fifth congressional district.
“Alabama needs a true fighter who stands strong for the Constitution and conservative values,” Moore said. “Mo Brooks has a strong record of voting to protect our borders, our 2nd Amendment rights, election integrity, the unborn, our military and fiscal responsibility. I’m proud to endorse Mo Brooks for U.S. Senate because I know he’s the best candidate for the future of our state and our nation. To stop the radical left’s push towards socialism and devotion to the dangerous cancel culture, we must elect someone tried and proven. We can’t risk the Senate on what someone says they will do. We need someone who has already done it. Mo has that record.”
Brooks expressed his gratitude for the endorsement, noting he had both the support of Moore and Trump.
“I am humbled and thankful for Congressman Barry Moore’s very strong endorsement. It helps a LOT!” Brooks proclaimed. “I ask Alabama citizens to heed the insight of both Congressman Barry Moore and President Trump. If you want a Senator who will, no matter what, fearlessly fight for and defend our America First values and the foundational principles that have combined to make America the greatest nation in world history, then I ask that you vote for and support me, Mo Brooks, for the U.S. Senate.”
The Moore endorsement is a big boost for Brooks’ chances in a part of the state where he had difficulties in prior elections. In his 2017 bid for U.S. Senate, Brooks struggled in the Wiregrass region, finishing a distant third to then-U.S. Sen. Luther Strange (R-Mountain Brook) and former Alabama Supreme Court chief justice Roy Moore, who was the eventual Republican nominee.
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.