Biography
Gary James Palmer, born on May 14, 1954, in Haleyville, Alabama, is a Republican politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Alabama's 6th Congressional District since 2015. Raised in Hackleburg, Alabama, he was the first in his family to attend college, earning a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management from the University of Alabama in 1977. During his time at the university, Palmer was a walk-on member of the football team under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.
Before entering politics, Palmer co-founded and served as president of the Alabama Policy Institute, a conservative think tank, for 24 years. He was also a founding member of the board of directors of the State Policy Network, an umbrella organization for state-based think tanks.
Palmer resides in Hoover, Alabama, with his wife, Ann. They have three children: Claire, Kathleen, and Rob.
Education and Political Experience
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Education:
- Bachelor of Science in Operations Management, University of Alabama, 1977
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Political Experience:
- U.S. Representative for Alabama's 6th Congressional District
- Chair, House Republican Policy Committee
- Member, House Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, and Grid Security
- Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Minerals
- Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
- Member, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability
- Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce
Notable Achievements
- Co-founded and led the Alabama Policy Institute, significantly influencing conservative policy in Alabama.
- Elected Chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, playing a key role in shaping the Republican legislative agenda.
- Consistently re-elected to Congress, reflecting strong support within his district.
Palmer's tenure in Congress has been marked by his commitment to conservative principles, focusing on fiscal responsibility, regulatory reform, and energy policy. His leadership roles and policy initiatives have had a lasting impact on both his district and the broader national legislative landscape.
