--- title: "Mercer vs. Palmer: 2026 Alabama’s 6th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-al-06" updated: "2026-08-12" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Alabama’s 6th District race: Maurice Mercer (D) vs. Gary Palmer (R) Rating: Safe R · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 12, 2026 The special general election for Alabama's 6th Congressional District features six-term Republican incumbent Gary Palmer facing Democratic nominee Maurice Mercer on November 3, 2026. The election date and filing deadlines were adjusted after the state legislature implemented a 2023 congressional map following federal court rulings. The race hinges on economic governance, federal spending, healthcare access, and immigration policy in a strongly conservative district. ## Candidates - **Maurice Mercer** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://www.mauricemercer.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Maurice_Mercer) - **Gary Palmer** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://palmerforalabama.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gary_Palmer) ## Issues ### Economy and Cost of Living Salience: high Mercer favors raising the federal minimum wage and targeted intervention to lower household costs, whereas Palmer advocates strict spending controls, opposition to tax increases, and deregulation. **Maurice Mercer:** Supports lowering costs and raising minimum wage Mercer focuses on lowering household costs for groceries, utility bills, and healthcare through supply chain strengthening and increased competition. He advocates for raising the federal minimum wage, expanding capital access for small businesses, and protecting workers' right to organize. - Proposes policies to lower prices on groceries, utilities, and daily necessities. - Supports raising the federal minimum wage. - Advocates for reducing unnecessary regulations and expanding capital access for small businesses. - Supports organized labor and collective bargaining rights for fair wages and benefits. > “In Congress, I will fight for policies that lower costs, increase competition, strengthen supply chains, and help working families keep more of what they earn.” > — Maurice Mercer, via [Campaign site](https://www.mauricemercer.com/) **Gary Palmer:** Opposes tax hikes and federal overspending Palmer centers his economic philosophy on reining in federal spending, cutting regulations, and opposing tax increases. He signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and repeatedly voted for federal spending caps and budget reconciliation measures. - Signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge committing to oppose tax increases. - Voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) reconciliation bill and Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023. - Voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. - Argues the federal government has a spending problem rather than a revenue problem. > “The federal government doesn’t have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. Raising taxes is not the answer. I will not support a tax increase.” > — Gary Palmer, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gary_Palmer) ### Healthcare Salience: high Mercer seeks federal intervention to expand affordable coverage and lower drug prices, while Palmer seeks to dismantle the Affordable Care Act in favor of patient-driven market choices. **Maurice Mercer:** Supports expanding affordable healthcare access Mercer advocates for healthcare reform that expands affordable coverage while preserving personal choice and supporting small business options. His priorities include protecting rural healthcare providers, expanding mental health services, and increasing drug pricing transparency. - Supports expanding access to affordable healthcare regardless of location or income. - Advocates for protecting rural healthcare providers and expanding mental health services. - Calls for increased transparency in prescription drug pricing. - Supports helping small businesses offer affordable healthcare options to employees. > “Access to quality healthcare should not depend on where you live, the size of your employer, or your income level.” > — Maurice Mercer, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Maurice_Mercer) **Gary Palmer:** Opposes Obamacare and supports patient-centered choices Palmer strongly opposes the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and government healthcare mandates. He advocates putting patients and market mechanisms—rather than Washington regulations—in charge of healthcare decisions. - Opposes federal healthcare mandates and individual purchasing requirements under Obamacare. - Advocates patient-centered healthcare reforms that reduce federal control. - Serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee overseeing healthcare and energy policy. > “The problem with Obamacare is not the website or the rollout. The problem with Obamacare is what it’s trying to impose upon the American people.” > — Gary Palmer, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gary_Palmer) ### Immigration and Border Security Salience: high Mercer combines border security with a pathway to citizenship for long-term residents, whereas Palmer supports uncompromising border enforcement, mandatory detentions, and deportations. **Maurice Mercer:** Supports pathway to citizenship and border security Mercer supports comprehensive immigration reform combining earned pathways to legal status and citizenship for long-term residents with strong border security. He advocates prioritizing law enforcement resources on violent criminals and human traffickers while ensuring due process. - Supports an achievable pathway to legal status and citizenship for hard-working long-term residents. - Calls for strong border security and adequate resources for enforcement agencies. - Prioritizes deportation and enforcement against violent criminals, gang members, and traffickers. - Emphasizes professional enforcement that respects constitutional rights and due process. > “Individuals who have lived in our communities for years, worked hard, paid taxes, raised families, and contributed to our economy should have a fair and achievable pathway to legal status and citizenship.” > — Maurice Mercer, via [Campaign site](https://www.mauricemercer.com/) **Gary Palmer:** Supports strict enforcement and mandatory detention Palmer consistently votes for stringent border security, mandatory worker verification, and increased enforcement powers. He supported legislation to detain undocumented immigrants accused of theft crimes, deport impaired drivers, and require voter citizenship proof. - Voted for the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2) to limit asylum eligibility and mandate E-Verify. - Voted for the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) requiring mandatory detention for undocumented immigrants arrested for theft crimes. - Voted for H.R. 875 making driving while intoxicated grounds for deportation. - Voted to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (H.Res. 863). ### Abortion and Family Policy Salience: medium Mercer defends a woman's right to make personal healthcare decisions alongside broad family care initiatives, while Palmer favors strict legal protection for the unborn. **Maurice Mercer:** Supports healthcare rights and holistic life support Mercer supports a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions while emphasizing faith-guided support for life across all stages. He advocates strengthening foster care, adoption, and support systems for parents, disabled individuals, and seniors. - Supports a woman's right to make her own healthcare choices. - Advocates expanding support for adoption, foster care, and parental resources. - Emphasizes protecting every stage of life, including seniors and individuals with disabilities. > “While I support a woman's right to make her own healthcare decisions, I also believe we should do more to support life by strengthening families, reducing barriers to adoption, expanding foster care opportunities, supporting mothers and fathers, caring for individuals with disabilities, and ensuring seniors receive the respect and care they deserve.” > — Maurice Mercer, via [Campaign site](https://www.mauricemercer.com/) **Gary Palmer:** Opposes abortion and supports legal protections for unborn Palmer maintains an explicit pro-life position, stating that life is sacred and granted by God. He commits to voting for government protections for the right to life. - Pledges to vote to protect the right to life in federal legislation. - Views life as sacred, granted by God, and constitutionally protected. > “Life is sacred, it is granted by God and protected by the Constitution. It is the duty of government to protect the right to life. I will vote to protect the right to life.” > — Gary Palmer, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gary_Palmer) ### Education and Labor Salience: medium Mercer focuses on expanding public school resources, apprenticeships, and union bargaining rights, whereas Palmer focuses on opposing national education frameworks and restricting school sports by biological sex. **Maurice Mercer:** Supports public schools, unions, and career technical training Mercer prioritizes public school funding, career and technical education, apprenticeships, and broadband access. Drawing on his municipal background, he strongly advocates for labor unions and collective bargaining rights while opposing political culture wars in schools. - Supports strong funding for public schools and career/technical education. - Advocates for expanding apprenticeships and workforce readiness partnerships. - Defends organized labor, unions, and collective bargaining rights. - Opposes turning classrooms into political battlegrounds. > “Our focus should be on creating opportunity, expanding workforce readiness, and preparing students for the future—not turning classrooms into political battlegrounds.” > — Maurice Mercer, via [Campaign site](https://www.mauricemercer.com/) **Gary Palmer:** Opposes national standards and supports sex restrictions in sports Palmer opposes national curriculum frameworks like Common Core in favor of local school control. In Congress, he voted for restrictions barring transgender female athletes from participating in female school athletic programs. - Opposes national curriculum frameworks such as Common Core. - Voted for the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28) restricting female athletic teams based on biological sex. > “Common Core is a nation-wide effort that claims to ensure that our future labor force is prepared to compete in the competitive global economy.” > — Gary Palmer, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Gary_Palmer) ### Democracy and Government Reform Salience: medium Mercer promotes independent redistricting commissions to reform elections, while Palmer prioritizes strict documentary voter verification laws and limiting federal judicial injunctions. **Maurice Mercer:** Supports independent redistricting and nonpartisan governance Mercer advocates for independent redistricting commissions to end political gerrymandering and restore public trust. He emphasizes civility, diplomacy, and bipartisan problem-solving over partisan blame. - Supports creating independent redistricting commissions for fair electoral maps. - Pledges to promote civility and cross-party cooperation in public office. - Calls for transparent and accountable governance. > “I support creating an independent redistricting commission so that voters choose their elected officials and not politicians choosing their voters.” > — Maurice Mercer, via [Campaign site](https://www.mauricemercer.com/) **Gary Palmer:** Supports strict voting proof and court injunction limits Palmer favors strict voter eligibility verification for federal elections and limits on federal court authority. He voted to require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration and to restrict nationwide court injunctions. - Voted for the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections. - Voted for the No Rogue Rulings Act (NORRA of 2025, H.R. 1526) limiting federal district court injunction powers. - Re-elected as House Republican Policy Committee Chairman in the 118th Congress. ### Public Safety and Criminal Justice Salience: medium Mercer balances support for police funding with community accountability measures, whereas Palmer focuses on strict statutory penalties and federal investigative disclosures. **Maurice Mercer:** Supports first responders alongside law enforcement accountability Mercer supports full funding, training, and equipment for police, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. He simultaneously emphasizes transparency and accountability to foster trust between law enforcement and local communities. - Supports funding, equipment, training, and disability protections for first responders. - Advocates for police transparency and accountability to build community trust. > “We can support public safety while strengthening public trust.” > — Maurice Mercer, via [Campaign site](https://www.mauricemercer.com/) **Gary Palmer:** Supports strict criminal penalties and law enforcement transparency Palmer supports strict law enforcement policies and government investigative transparency. He voted for the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act requiring public release of unclassified investigative records. - Voted for the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405) to release unclassified Department of Justice records on Jeffrey Epstein. - Consistently votes for enhanced criminal penalties related to foreign travelers, DUIs, and border infractions. ### Veterans Affairs Salience: low Mercer highlights direct support for veterans alongside bringing troops home, while Palmer relies on his legislative voting record authorizing defense and military construction funding. **Maurice Mercer:** Supports veteran services and troop repatriation Mercer campaigns on supporting military veterans and working to bring service members home from foreign deployments, highlighting endorsement support from prominent wounded veterans. - Promised to stand up for military veterans and provide necessary services. - Advocates working to bring overseas military troops home. - Endorsed by Purple Heart recipient Noah Galloway. > “I will stand up for Noah and all veterans while working to bring our troops home.” > — Maurice Mercer, via [Campaign site](https://www.mauricemercer.com/) **Gary Palmer:** Supports military defense authorization funding Palmer routinely votes to authorize annual Department of Defense funding and servicemember quality-of-life enhancements through the NDAA. - Voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2024 and FY2025. - Voted for continuing military construction appropriations. ### Infrastructure Salience: low Mercer explicitly campaigns on securing federal investments for district roads, water, and broadband, whereas Palmer has no explicit campaign platform on infrastructure and voted against the 2021 federal infrastructure bill. **Maurice Mercer:** Supports federal funding for local infrastructure projects Mercer emphasizes practical infrastructure investments drawing on his Pelham City Council experience. He advocates for federal funding for roads, bridges, rail crossings, water systems, and broadband expansion. - Advocates for federal investments in roads, bridges, and traffic relief projects. - Supports expansion of water infrastructure and high-speed broadband access. - Focuses on rail crossing improvements to improve local traffic flow and community connectivity. > “In Congress, I will advocate for investments in roads, bridges, rail crossing improvements, broadband expansion, water systems, and traffic relief projects that help communities grow and prosper.” > — Maurice Mercer, via [Campaign site](https://www.mauricemercer.com/) **Gary Palmer:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/al-06-house-election-winner) — AL-06 House Election Winner: Republicans 96.4%, Democrats 2.3% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-AL06-26) — AL-06 House winner?: Gary Palmer 96.5%, Maurice Mercer 3.4% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXALPRIMARY-06R26) — AL-06 Republican nominee?: Gary Palmer 99.9%, Case Dixon 0.1% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-al-06)