Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter and 31 members of the House Republican Caucus have endorsed State Rep. Rhett Marques in his bid for Alabama’s open 1st Congressional District in 2026.
This signals another major, early show of in-state support for the Wiregrass lawmaker after U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) also made a powerful day-one endorsement.
“I am honored to have the support of so many of the men and women that I have worked with in the legislature,” Marques (R-Enterprise) said.
“While President Trump was providing tax relief to Americans with the One Big Beautiful Bill, we were working on the state level in the Alabama legislature slashing the state tax on groceries, eliminating the state tax on diapers and baby supplies that are critical for young families, and implementing a substantial tax relief package providing relief for our seniors.”
Speaker Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) praised Marques’s tenure in the Alabama Legislature, saying the Enterprise Republican “has proven himself to be a strong conservative who always puts the needs of our state first.”
“He has helped deliver over $1.5 billion in tax cuts to the people of Alabama, supported our state’s economy through key workforce development initiatives, bolstered public safety by supporting law enforcement and fighting illegal immigration, and much more,” Speaker Ledbetter said.
“His record speaks for itself, and while I certainly hate to lose him in the State Legislature, he is the exact kind of leader Alabama’s First Congressional District needs in Washington, D.C.”
Endorsing State Representatives:
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Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter
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Russell Bedsole (R-Alabaster)
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Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City)
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Bryan Brinyark (R-Northport)
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Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City)
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Jim Carns (R-Vestavia Hills)
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Steve Clouse (R-Ozark)
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Danny Crawford (R-Athens)
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David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook)
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Danny Garrett (R-Trussville)
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Jim Hill (R-Moody)
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Leigh Hulsey (R-Helena)
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Reed Ingram (R-Pike Road)
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Jamie Kiel (R-Russellville)
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Bill Lamb (R-Tuscaloosa)
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Paul Lee (R-Dothan)
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Craig Lipscomb (R-Gadsden)
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James Lomax (R-Huntsville)
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Ed Oliver (R-Dadeville)
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Marcus Paramore (R-Troy)
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Rick Rehm (R-Dothan)
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Chad Robertson (R-Heflin)
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Chris Sells (R-Greenville)
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Ginny Shaver (R-Leesburg)
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Mike Shaw (R-Hoover)
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Van Smith (R-Prattville)
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Jeff Sorrells (R-Hartford)
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David Standridge (R-Hayden)
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Jerry Starnes (R-Prattville)
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Bubba Underwood (R-Tuscumbia)
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Richie Whorton (R-Owens Cross Roads)
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Randy Wood (R-Anniston)
Marques is a lifelong Republican born and raised in Baldwin County. He now represents District 91 and is building a “Wiregrass-to-coast” coalition in the race.
Also in the race is Jerry Carl, who is running for his old seat after redistricting forced him out of the seat in 2024 to U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), and Joshua McKee, a former U.S. Special Forces operator.
The seat will be open in the 2026 cycle with Moore opting instead to run statewide for U.S. Senate.
The Alabama Republican Party primary election is set for May 19, 2026.
Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.
