Gambling, education and roads: Where Lomax, Brooks stand on major issues ahead of GOP primary
Summary
Alabama House District 20 Rep. James Lomax is seeking reelection and faces former U.S. Congressman Mo Brooks in the May 19 Republican primary, with Democrat James Linderholm set to face the winner in the November general election. The district covers part of eastern Madison County, including Huntsville. Brooks emphasizes his extensive experience as a federal, state, and local legislator, attorney, and six-term congressman, arguing that his record of electoral success and policy knowledge would make him effective in the Alabama House. He highlights deep family ties in south and east Huntsville and says he has consistently delivered on infrastructure, including South Parkway overpasses and I-565. Brooks calls for prioritizing children’s education, repairing roads and infrastructure to match Huntsville’s rapid growth, and opposing expanded casino-style gambling, which he says threatens the city’s reputation and economy. He is open to considering a lottery only if the bill is clean and not skewed to politically connected interests, and he questions whether running a gambling enterprise is a proper function of state government. Lomax points to his record as House Majority Whip, citing leadership on tax cuts for groceries, school supplies, baby formula, and overtime wages, along with investments in District 20 infrastructure and education. He supports fully eliminating the grocery tax, building on recent progress in reading and math, and improving access to affordable healthcare for seniors and families. Lomax says Madison County has received more infrastructure funding since he took office but more is needed to match its growth, and he backs efforts to give Alabamians a vote on gambling to settle the issue so the state can focus on lowering living costs, supporting small businesses, and expanding job opportunities.
(Source:AL.com)