Alabama general election: November 3, 2026
Who is running for U.S. House, Alabama District 6 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for U.S. House, Alabama District 6 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in U.S. House District 6 in Alabama.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Gary PalmerRepublican | Maurice MercerDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Income taxes | Cut taxes across the board, including for top earners and corporationsVoted · medium | No public position |
| Safety net programs | Keep them, but add work requirements for able-bodied adultsVoted · medium | No public position |
| Healthcare | Private insurance with more competition and price transparency, keeping protections for pre-existing conditionsOfficial action · medium | No single answer fits; see evidence |
| Abortion | Illegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestOfficial action · low | Legal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)Said · low |
| Guns | Keep current laws and enforce what is already on the booksSaid · medium | No public position |
| Immigration | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadySaid · high | Tighter border security plus a path to legal status for long-time residentsSaid · medium |
| Energy and climate | Maximize oil and gas; climate rules hurt the economySaid · medium | No public position |
| Politicians trading stocks | No, ban it for members and their spousesVoted · medium | No public position |
| Redistricting | No single answer fits; see evidence | Independent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymanderingSaid · medium |
| Term limits | Yes, strict limits, such as three House terms and two Senate termsOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Mandatory minimums | Add or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl traffickingVoted · medium | No public position |
| Student loans | Cap borrowing, simplify repayment, and skip broad forgivenessVoted · medium | No public position |
| Birthright citizenship | No, end it for children of parents here illegally or temporarilyOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| E-Verify mandate | Require it for all employersVoted · medium | No public position |
| Transgender athletes | No, and Congress should set a biological sex rule nationwideVoted · medium | No public position |
| DEI programs | Ban them and cut federal funds to schools and contractors that keep themOfficial action · medium | No public position |
| Aid to Israel | Keep full aid without new conditionsSaid · medium | No public position |
Gary Palmer
Republican · IncumbentU.S. Representative, Alabama District 6
Gary Palmer is a Republican who has represented Alabama's 6th Congressional District since 20152. Before Congress he led the Alabama Policy Institute, a conservative think tank, for 24 years and served on state commissions under three governors1. He chaired the House Republican Policy Committee and serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee12.
Where they stand 26 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadyhigh
Said · high confidence- Voted against the American Dream and Promise Act, which offered a path to citizenship for Dreamers. (2021-03-18) source
- Voted against the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which offered legal status to long-time farmworkers. (2021-03-18) source
- Voted for the Secure the Border Act, which funded border wall construction, tightened asylum rules and required E-Verify. (2023-05-11) source
- Voted for the Secure America Act, which provides about $70 billion for immigration enforcement and border security through 2029. (2026-06-09) source
- His campaign site says he opposes amnesty, has pledged to oppose any bill granting work authorization or legal status to people here illegally, and that reform must begin with securing the border and enforcing current law. (2026) source
Birthright citizenshipNo, end it for children of parents here illegally or temporarilymedium
Official action · medium confidence- Cosponsored the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2025, which would limit automatic citizenship to children with at least one parent who is a citizen, a lawful permanent resident, or a noncitizen serving in the military. (2026-07-20) source
Term limitsYes, strict limits, such as three House terms and two Senate termsmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Original cosponsor of a constitutional amendment (H.J.Res. 12) that would limit House members to three terms and senators to two terms. (2025-01-06) source
DEI programsBan them and cut federal funds to schools and contractors that keep themmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Original cosponsor of the Dismantle DEI Act of 2025, which would close federal DEI offices, end federal DEI training, and add anti-DEI terms to federal contracts and grants. (2025-02-04) source
Aid to IsraelKeep full aid without new conditionsmedium
Said · medium confidence- Voted for the $26 billion Israel security supplemental with no new conditions on weapons use. (2024-04-20) source
- Voted for the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, which would require delivery of weapons to Israel that the administration had paused. (2024-05-16) source
- Signed a letter urging the Biden administration to reverse its decision to withhold precision-guided weapons from Israel. (2024-05-16) source
HealthcarePrivate insurance with more competition and price transparency, keeping protections for pre-existing conditionsmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Voted against restoring the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for three years. (2026-01-08) source
- Introduced the New Health Options Act, which would create a separate insurance market alongside the ACA exchanges, require disclosure of lower cash prices, and guarantee coverage for preexisting conditions. (2025-03-03) source
- His campaign site says he supports repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act with free-market solutions that increase competition and choice. (2026) source
GunsKeep current laws and enforce what is already on the booksmedium
Said · medium confidence- Voted against the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022. (2022-07-29) source
- Opposing the 2022 Senate gun bill, he said the answer to mass shootings is enforcing current state laws against threats of violence and addressing mental health. (2022-06-24) source
- His campaign site says he rejects efforts to limit the types of firearms Americans may legally own. (2026) source
- Original cosponsor of the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025, which would let people with a concealed carry permit or right in their home state carry in every state. (2025-01-03) source
Energy and climateMaximize oil and gas; climate rules hurt the economymedium
Said · medium confidence- Voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which used tax credits and incentives to speed a shift to cleaner energy. (2022-08-12) source
- Voted for the Lower Energy Costs Act, which expanded oil, gas and mineral production and sped up permits for energy projects. (2023-03-30) source
- His campaign site says he introduced the Stopping EPA Overreach Act to bar the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases and supports expanding domestic energy production. (2026) source
- He criticized the 2024 pause on new natural gas export terminals and called the climate change narrative alarmism. (2024-01-26) source
- His Cutting Green Corruption and Taxes Act, which would cancel the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, passed the House. (2024-03-22) source
Safety net programsKeep them, but add work requirements for able-bodied adultsmedium
Voted · medium confidenceIncome taxesCut taxes across the board, including for top earners and corporationsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted against the Inflation Reduction Act, which set a 15% minimum tax on large corporations to help pay for energy and health programs. (2022-08-12) source
- Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which made the 2017 individual tax cuts permanent, including the 37% top rate, and extended business tax breaks. (2025-07-03) source
Transgender athletesNo, and Congress should set a biological sex rule nationwidemedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a federal rule basing girls' and women's school sports eligibility on sex at birth. (2023-04-20) source
- Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, a federal rule basing girls' and women's school sports eligibility on sex at birth. (2025-01-14) source
E-Verify mandateRequire it for all employersmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted for the Secure the Border Act, which would require all employers to use E-Verify. (2023-05-11) source
Mandatory minimumsAdd or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl traffickingmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I and applies mandatory minimum sentences to trafficking them. (2023-05-25) source
- Voted for the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I and applies mandatory minimum sentences to trafficking them. (2025-06-12) source
Student loansCap borrowing, simplify repayment, and skip broad forgivenessmedium
Voted · medium confidencePoliticians trading stocksNo, ban it for members and their spousesmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted for the Stop Insider Trading Act, which bars members of Congress, their spouses and dependents from buying individual stocks; the House-passed bill also requires photo ID to vote in federal elections. (2026-07-22) source
AbortionIllegal, except to save the mother's life or in cases of rape or incestlow
Official action · low confidence- Voted against the Women's Health Protection Act, which would protect abortion access nationwide before viability. (2021-09-24) source
- Voted against the Women's Health Protection Act of 2022, which would protect abortion access nationwide before viability. (2022-07-15) source
- Original cosponsor of the Life at Conception Act, which would protect life from fertilization and lists no exceptions. (2025-01-24) source
- Cosponsored the Life at Conception Act in the previous Congress. (2024-01-18) source
- His campaign site says every human life is worthy of protection, born and unborn. (2026) source
Supreme Court reformNo single answer fitsmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Cosponsored a constitutional amendment requiring the Supreme Court to have nine justices. (2025-03-24) source
National debtNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site lists paying down the national debt by cutting spending among his priorities. (2026) source
RedistrictingNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted against the For the People Act, which would require independent redistricting commissions. (2021-03-03) source
Campaign financeNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted against the For the People Act, which created public matching funds for campaigns and stricter donor disclosure. (2021-03-03) source
Qualified immunityNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted against the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would end qualified immunity for police officers. (2021-03-03) source
Childcare and pre-KNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted against the Build Back Better Act, which funded free universal pre-K and expanded childcare aid. (2021-11-19) source
Paid leaveNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted against the Build Back Better Act, which created a national paid family and medical leave program. (2021-11-19) source
Drug pricesNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted against the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would cap insulin costs at $35 a month. (2022-03-31) source
MarijuanaNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence- Voted against the MORE Act, which would legalize marijuana federally and clear past convictions. (2022-04-01) source
Aid to UkraineNo single answer fitslow
Voted · low confidence
No public position found on: Social Security, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Trade and tariffs, Foreign policy, Judges, Electoral College, Death penalty, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Religion in schools, China policy.
Maurice Mercer
DemocratFormer Pelham City Council president
Maurice Mercer is a business account executive and Troy University graduate who served on the Pelham City Council from 2012 to 2025, including as council president from 2020 to 202512. His campaign says he was the first African American elected to the Pelham council1. He won the Democratic nomination for District 6 in the Aug. 11, 2026 special primary3.
Where they stand 7 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
RedistrictingIndependent commissions draw maps, with a national ban on partisan gerrymanderingmedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform says he supports creating an independent redistricting commission so that voters choose their elected officials, not politicians choosing their voters. (2026) source
ImmigrationTighter border security plus a path to legal status for long-time residentsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform says long-time residents who have worked, paid taxes and raised families here should have a fair pathway to legal status and citizenship, alongside strong border security. (2026) source
- He says enforcement should focus first on violent criminals, gang members and traffickers, who should be detained and deported. (2026) source
AbortionLegal in most cases up to viability (about 24 weeks)low
Said · low confidence- His platform says he supports a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions, while also believing every life has value and calling for more support for families, adoption and foster care. (2026) source
Minimum wageNo single answer fitsmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In the Ballotpedia survey he said he would like to see the federal minimum wage raised and is passionate about raising it. (2026-07-01) source
HealthcareNo single answer fitsmedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidenceDrug pricesNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform supports increasing transparency in prescription drug pricing. (2026) source
Business regulationNo single answer fitsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His platform says he will work to reduce unnecessary regulations on small businesses. (2026) source
No public position found on: Income taxes, National debt, Social Security, Safety net programs, Guns, Trade and tariffs, Foreign policy, Energy and climate, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Supreme Court reform, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, Birthright citizenship, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, Aid to Israel, Aid to Ukraine, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.