Mo Brooks qualifies for Alabama House of Representatives

January 23, 2026 – Retired Congressman Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) considered another run for U.S. Senate (he ran in 2022 and 2017) but decided against it. He considered a run for the Alabama House of Representatives, but told the Alabama Political Contributor's Christopher Peeks that for the his family he was not going to run for anything – and there was speculation that Brooks could run for everything from U.S. Senate, to attorney general, to state house to state senate. Ultimately Brooks decided to go back to where it all began in the 1980s – the Alabama House of Representatives – back when all the House Republicans could have ridden together in the same SUV (it would have been a station wagon back then).

On Friday, Brooks qualified to run for the Alabama House seat in District 20 challenging incumbent James Lomax in the Republican primary on May 19.

Brooks explained "How things change unexpectedly" in a press release that the Alabama Gazette received on Friday.

"During the Christmas holiday season and thereafter, five elected officials, Stan McDonald, and others, have urged me to come out of retirement and fight for our state and its citizens again by running for the legislature in a House district voters preferred me over Katie Britt in and in which I have averaged roughly 70% of the vote in in 18 separate elections," said Brooks. "As of December 31, my opponent (Lomax) had roughly $100,000 in the bank."

"So I required, as a precondition to my candidacy, that the folks urging me to get back on the political battlefield raise $100,000, none from Special Interest PACS, all from Alabama citizens, to ensure I had the minimally competitive resources needed to get our message out and win an election campaign," explained Brooks. "I committed to them that, if they did that, I would run."

Brooks said that he was happy enjoying his grandkids and retirement, but that his supporters stepped up their game to return him to Montgomery.

"Quite frankly, I enjoy the family time retirement gives me," Brooks said. " That family time enjoyment also encouraged me to set a very high bar that I really did not think these folks could clear in a very short period of time. But, yesterday, to my utter surprise, they informed me they did it. They raised $100,000, all from Alabama citizens who want me to return to public service, none of it coming from Special Interest PACs! Amazing! So I am keeping my word and will qualify today to run in Alabama House District 20."

Brooks said that he is ready for the political fight that is to come.

"I look forward to returning to the political battlefield and, once again, being a warrior for my family's future and the state and people I love," said Brooks.

Lomax is not happy with Mo's decision.

"I can see why he wants back in– we're finally accomplishing meaningful results for the people of our state and he sees an opportunity to take credit after never accomplishing anything," Lomax said on social media. "Mo's grievance-filled, victimhood style of politics is dated and stale. While he sits at home writing anti-Republican blog posts and daydreaming about the good old days; I'll keep working to ensure the best days are yet to come."

Before Brooks entered the race, Lomax posted, "I have qualified for re-election to the Alabama House of Representatives. Serving South Huntsville, Hampton Cove, Monte Sano, and Green Mountain, while building a stronger future for Alabama, continues to be my focus every day. Over the last term, we've delivered real results: $1.5 billion in tax cuts, investments in future technologies, and unprecedented support for education and economic development. I'm proud of what we've accomplished together, but even more energized for what's ahead. Let's keep moving forward, District 20."

Mo Brooks - born Morris Jackson Brooks Jr. on April 29, 1954 - was raised in Huntsville after moving to Alabama in 1963. He graduated from Duke University with a double major in political science and economics. He earned his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1978 and began his legal career in the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney's Office before returning to Huntsville as a law clerk. Brooks served in the Alabama House from 1982 to 1992, representing two districts over the course of his tenure (18th, then 10th). He built a reputation as a fiscal conservative and early advocate for limited government. He was appointed district attorney of Madison County. He served 15 years on the Madison County Commission, representing the 5th district. There he focused on local governance, budgeting, and infrastructure in the rapidly growing Huntsville area.

Brooks won Alabama's 5th Congressional District seat defeating incumbent Parker Griffith in 2010 and held it for six terms. In Congress, he was a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, aligning with the chamber's most conservative bloc. Brooks received national praise for his strong positions on immigration, federal spending, and national security. Brooks maintained a high-profile alliance with President Donald J. Trump (R). Brooks was a leader in the movement to invalidate the 2020 election results and challenge the integrity of the results in six states. That support earned Brooks Trump's endorsement in the 2022 Senate race. Mo's support from Trump waivered after comments at a Cullman rally where Brooks said it was time to move past the 2020 election. In 2022 Trump rescinded his Senate endorsement and eventually endorsed Katie Boyd Britt who defeated Brooks in the Republican primary runoff.

After the race, Brooks became more openly critical of Trump. One legislator told the Alabama Gazette that Lomax is seeking the Trump endorsement.

Since leaving Congress, Brooks has become a senior conservative columnist for AL.com, continuing to influence political debate in Alabama.

Whoever wins the Republican primary on May 19 will still have to face Democratic nominee James Linderholm in the general election.

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