Who's In the Race

Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL) is running for reelection in Alabama's 6th District in the Nov. 3 general election against Democratic candidate Maurie Mercer. ​

Palmer has represented the district since winning election to the 114th Congress in 2014. Mercer served on the Pelham City Council for three terms and was council president from 2020 to 2025; he holds a business administration degree from Troy University and works as an account executive for a Fortune 500 company.

Palmer won the Republican primary on May 19 with about 81 percent of the vote over Case Dixon. Mercer won the Democratic nomination.

What They Stand For

Palmer has proposed targeting government waste through his "ZOMBIE Act," according to his official House website. He has also supported:

  • Reducing federal spending and addressing the national debt,
  • Energy and the environment, including saving on gas and home energy expenses,
  • Defense and homeland security, among his listed issue areas; and
  • Education and financial services among his listed issue areas.

Mercer has proposed expanding access to affordable health care, protecting rural health-care providers and improving mental-health services, according to his campaign website. He has also supported:

  • Raising the federal minimum wage above its current $7.25 an hour,
  • Improving affordability across the district; and
  • Overhauling the federal immigration system.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Palmer raised about $1.05 million through July 22 and had about $261,000 in cash on hand. Mercer's FEC receipts were not available.

Outside groups spent about $131,000 in the race as of Oct. 13, all of it supporting Palmer. The American Chemistry Council, Inc. was the sole outside spender, accounting for the full amount.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Every major handicapper rates this race as safely in Republican hands. Cook Political Report rated the seat "Solid Republican" as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Republican" as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it "Solid Republican" as of Oct. 2.

Kalshi traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Palmer, a 96.63 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13; Democrats, whose nominee is Mercer, stood at 3.37 percent.

Palmer won the seat with about 84 percent in 2022 and about 70 percent in 2024. Republicans won six of Alabama's seven U.S. House seats in 2022 and five of seven in 2024. Donald Trump carried Alabama in the 2024 presidential election with about 65 percent of the vote.

The voter-registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 19; mail-in forms must be postmarked by that date. Absentee ballot applications are due by mail by Tuesday, Oct. 27, or in person by Thursday, Oct. 29. Alabama does not have an early in-person voting period. Polls on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time.

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