Shortly after finishing third in the Aug. 15 special U.S. Senate primary, U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Alabama, set his sights on being re-elected to his congressional seat.

He could have a challenge on his hands after Tuesday’s announcement that state Sen. Bill Holtzclaw, R-Madison, would also seek election to the seat. The primary election for the seat is June 5, 2018.

In speaking to supporters at Madison City Hall, where he got his political start as a councilman, Holtzclaw laid out his reasons for running for Congress. He explained the district is “lacking” someone willing to work with large and small businesses.

Holtzclaw explained he would connect business leaders with decision makers, and he vowed to work with the congressional leadership to advance policy and support economic initiatives across the district.

“That will be the primary focus of my congressional representation,” he said.

Whether meant as a dig at Brooks or not, Holtzclaw referenced “gridlock over legislation.”

“Instead of throwing our hands up in despair, we need to roll our sleeves up,” he said. “The gridlock in Washington is crippling our nation, our economy and our children’s and grandchildren’s futures. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and go to work for you.”

Holtzclaw told supporters he wouldn’t need on-the-job-training because of his previous experience as a lawmaker. He also touted his conservative credentials, particularly in regard to pro-life and Second Amendment measures.

“I have a 100 percent voting record on those two items,” he said.

Background

Holtzclaw explained he was orphaned at birth and was taken in by a family in Arkansas at age 5. After enlisting in the Marine Corps, he served in the Mideast during the Gulf War and also served in Somalia.

After retiring from the service, he went to work at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, where he worked on programs that eventually became associated with the Space Launch System. He ran for Madison City Council in 2008 and served on the council until 2010.

Holtzclaw was elected to the state Senate in 2010 and re-elected in 2014.