Jerry Carl: The Final Stretch

The Final Stretch

Jerry Carl will finish out his term in the 118th Congress, after losing against Barry Moore in an incumbent vs incumbent primary. As his representation comes to an end, let's look back at Carl's service in Alabama's Congressional District 1.

In Relation to Mayhew:

David Mayhew theorizes that Congress Member's are single-minded seekers with the goal of re-election in mind (5). Mayhew explains that if his theory was correct, then Members of Congress behavior affect their motivation of re-election. Mayhew explains that activities like advertising, position-taking, and credit claiming drive Congress Members. 

Advertising:

Members of Congress advertise by creating a favorable image or brand name among their constituents (Mayhew 49). Carl's advertising includes: 

• Jerry Carl used the slogan "Just Jerry" to get his name across Alabama's District 1. The "Just Jerry" slogan creates a memorable name to build his campaign platform off of. 
• He sends out emailed newsletters to those who subscribe on his website. 
• His latest newsletters date to March 2021, where he described his first month in Congress.
• He only has two archived newsletters, and the other is a link to Wikipedia over the 117th Congress. He has not posted anything recent, but he is active on his Facebook and Twitter where he communicates many messages to his followers. 
• He hosts telephone and town halls.
• 
  His latest telephone town hall occurred on March 17th, 2022 where citizens can call in and ask him questions. 
• Campaign Ads: Carl posts Youtube videos about his re-election efforts and his stances on the economy, agriculture, and most importantly Biden. His presence on social media helps him advertise his name and views across a large platform. 
• He expresses that he has upheld Trump's agenda and will not surrender to "liberal nutjobs."
• While his video "Bad Guys" focuses on revamping the economy and ending Bidenflation.
• These videos contribute to his position-taking as well.
• Carl traveled to the Wiregrass region of Alabama in hopes to create a favorable image among his new voters. He wanted to create an impression, so they would remember his name. Carl believed his values aligned with the region (2024).

Position-Taking:

Congress Members also position-take by expressing judgmental statements rather than acting on policy (Mayhew 61). Jerry Carl's position taking includes:

• Carl took the position of pro-life on the House floor where he urged others to join in and support anti-abortion legislation. 
• Carl wrote in Yellow Hammer News that his top priority for 2024 is securing the Southern border, protecting life, and fixing "reckless government spending" (2024). These are items on his agenda he wants to address, but has yet to. Carl may not get to these items as his term comes to an end.
• Carl publishes press releases on his website to communicate his stance on national issues. He often makes comments on Facebook or Twitter describing the current government, typically in negative ways, including:
  
• 
  Carl Slams Biden's Ridiculous SPACECOM Decision: He expresses that the Biden administration cares more about progressing a "far-left agenda than security of the nation" (2023). Whenever it comes to the Biden administration, Carl continuously expresses his disgrace for him and his inability to get anything done. 

• Carl Responds to President Biden’s Primetime Address on the “Battle for the Soul of the Nation:” Carl released a statement calling for a strong, unified leadership which Joe Biden has failed at (2023).  

  
• Carl posts to Twitter about his concerns with the Biden Administration often. He claims Biden is the cause for national issues. He takes the position that Biden will always be the reason immigration and the economy are failing. 

Carl is not afraid to voice his opinions. He is quick to respond on anything that involves the immigration, pro-life, and infrastructure. He takes the position of supporting Trump and asking for cognitive tests for President Biden. As he fought to be "conservative enough" in his election, he made sure to tell his constituents exactly where he stands.

Credit Claiming:

Congress Members credit claim by generating a belief among constituents that will benefit themselves and their community(Mayhew 52-53). Carl's credit claiming includes:

• 
  Jerry Carl posted to his Facebook on March 2nd that he talked with local farmers about how he can help them with the current state of the economy. Carl is boasting about his care for locals and claiming credit for getting the economy back on track.
• Carl also uses Facebook to share his votes casted in Legislation to inform his district about what he is doing to help them.

• 

  Example of Credit Claiming
  
  

  Carl also uses letters (shown to the right) to inform his constituents that he does deliver results. He takes credit for funding and saving taxpayers to generate the belief that he is delivering for the community. He finishes off the letter with his official signature. 
• Carl has sponsored 16 pieces of legislation, yet not one has made it out of the introduction phase. 
• On Carl's Website, he offers a number of constituent services. He offers Military Academy nominations. In February, he posted to Facebook his interaction with a couple whose son is at the Air Force Academy because of his nomination. Carl posed for a picture and shared his contribution to young people. 
• Carl requested $34 million in earmarks for Fiscal Year 2024. These requests serve as credit claiming because Carl is generating money to complete projects in District 1. These projects are meant to benefit his community. Earmarks or "community funding projects" allow Representatives to put federal money towards "pet projects" (Lai 2023). It's purpose is to benefit the community as a whole.
• He requested $5 million to South Baldwin Regional Workforce Development Authority which will help businesses in their startup phase and encourage businesses to grow and improve. 
• He also requested $5 million to the Alabama State Port Authority to upgrade coal handling systems. 

While Members of Congress want to claim credit for important legislation, sponsoring bills, or simply praising their accomplishments, there needs to be collective action. NBC News writes that Republicans in Congress have hardly passed any legislation and chaos has consumed the party (2024). Chip Roy of Texas commented that "nothing's been delivered yet-- no final product" (NBC News 2024). In the Electoral Connection, delay is a reason for dissatisfaction in Congress, and many Republicans are dissatisfied with their colleagues (Mayhew 126). In Jerry Carl's case, he can claim he is delivering results, but his proposed legislation has only been introduced. Mayhew explains that floor amendments are introduced with speeches, and no progress is made because they have no chance of passing (119). 

Conclusion:

To conclude this blog, let's reflect one more time on Mayhew's theory that Congress Members are single-minded seekers of re-election. Jerry Carl is a single minded seeker because most of his appearances, policy, and positions have surrounded the election. He has not published a press release since September 2023 right before announcing his run for re-election. Considering his US Representative and Campaign Facebook pages, there was a spike in traveling to his newly redrawn district. He met with new voters within District 1 in hopes to gain their vote. He engaged in activities of advertising, position-taking, and credit claiming. While Jerry Carl used the slogan "Just Jerry" again to create his brand name, it was not enough for the incumbent to secure the primary win. Carl continues to take the same positions on border control, abortion, and the economy. Voters are constantly reminded of his same beliefs, so he has not really changed. Carl continues to credit claim as he shares his accomplishments on his Facebook or Twitter. While Jerry Carl put forth much effort into his re-election campaign, he continued representing his constituents on Twitter, Facebook, and in person at events. 

Primary Sources:

Mayhew, David. The Electoral Connection.

Kapur, Sahil. "It's Embarrassing." NBC News. 

Carl, Jerry. "Proudly Serving the 1st District of Alabama." Washington D.C. 

Congress.Gov. "Jerry Carl." Library of Congress.

Twitter. "Rep. Jerry Carl."

Facebook. "Jerry Carl for Congress."

Facebook. "U.S Representative Jerry Carl."

Lai, Stephanie. "As G.O.P. Rails Against Federal Spending." NYT

Secondary Sources:

GovTrack. "Rep. Jerry Carl." 

Carl, Jerry. "Rep. Jerry Carl: 2024 Priorities." YellowHammerNews.

Cox, Bradley. "Carl Releases Fifth Ad." 1819 News.

Lambert, Jacklynn. "Jerry Carl Visits the Wiregrass." News4