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Moore announcement imminent; Carl comeback? Rigsby ready; and more in this week’s OTR

Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in Alabama

 

Moore announcing soon 

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore is expected to make it official and announce his candidacy for Tuberville’s U.S. Senate seat on Aug. 15. While Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is considered the frontrunner, all seem to agree a Moore (R-Enterprise) matchup certainly makes the race more interesting. Last month, we mentioned the power of a Trump endorsement in the race. However, now one insider has suggested Moore would likley not enter the race without already securing what could be the race-tipping endorsement of the president.  

Carl comeback?

With politicos focused on Barry Moore’s big announcement, attention is also shifting to who might replace him in Congress. One likely candidate is former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl who lost to Moore in an incumbent primary in 2024 after the districts were redrawn. Observers note that Carl has recently started posting on his campaign Instagram again after being silent on that platform since the election last November.

Rigsby ready

State Rep. Phillip Rigsby is expected to announce his bid for re-election soon. The District 25 Republican, first elected in 2022, has quickly earned a reputation as a well-liked and effective legislator. Though some expected him to run for retiring Sen. Tom Butler’s District 2 seat, sources say Rigsby is staying put and his upcoming announcement will make it official.

What’s happening in Limestone County? Ask Huntsville

If you want to know what’s happening with roughly 9,000 acres in Limestone County, just ask Huntsville. This week ULI Alabama hosted an event at Huntsville City Hall to discuss the Rocket City’s westward expansion (for a fee of $25 because insight isn’t always free).  ULI, the Urban Land Institute, “is the oldest and largest network of cross-disciplinary real estate and land use experts in the world.” The event included a comprehensive review of Huntsville’s Master Plan for over 9,300 acres of recently annexed and other city lands “located generally” in Limestone County.

Party on, Athens  

Athens is going full 1980s tonight as the city wraps up its popular Fridays After Five series. The Velcro Pygmies will headline the finale with an ‘80s rock set starting at 7 p.m. on the east side of the Limestone County Courthouse. DJ J-Dawg kicks off the free event at 5 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, enjoy extended hours for downtown businesses and an appetite for food trucks. Organizers are expecting up to 10,000 for the massive final party of the summer in downtown Athens.