WHNT Exclusive: County Commissioner Jumps In Congressional Race

The election for North Alabama's congressional seat is still more than a year away. But one of the biggest names in Madison County politics is now throwing his hat in the ring.

Madison County commissioner Mo Brooks announced his intentions to run for Congress Tuesday. After meeting with top Republicans in Washington last week, Brooks decided to make his long-rumored candidacy for the 5th district congressional seat official.


The long-time commissioner is well-known for his outspoken views on fiscal conservatism and immigration reform, and hopes that message will resonate with voters next year. Democratic congressman Parker Griffith just won the seat last November, but Brooks says the freshman Democrat is already a first-term flop. Brooks says Griffith's support of current house speaker Nancy Pelosi has put thousands of North Alabama jobs in jeopardy due to her support of missile defense cuts.

"Once Mr. Griffith cast his vote for Nancy Pelosi, none of his other votes have had any significance," said Brooks. "Her policies are not good for the 5th congressional district with ballistic missile defense cuts, with threats to NASA, with threats to our local economy in so many ways. We've got to unseat Nancy Pelosi."

Fellow Republican Les Phillip has already entered the race. The ex-navy pilot and current businessman says he welcomes Brooks to the field. Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has endorsed Phillip's candidacy.