Mo Brooks Fires Back: Former Congressman Exposes Out-of-State Gambling Money and Infrastructure Record in House District 20 Race

Staff Writer May 17, 2024

​HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — In a hard-hitting interview on The BCS: State of Alabama podcast with hosts Christopher M. Peeks and Brandon Moseley, former U.S. Congressman Mo Brooks launched a fierce defense of his record, taking direct aim at what he calls a systematic campaign of character assassination by his opponent, Representative James Lomax.

​Running for his old stomping grounds in Alabama House District 20, Brooks did not hold back. He addressed relentless campaign attacks regarding his legislative record and sounded the alarm on an unprecedented influx of out-of-state gambling money aimed at "purchasing" the Alabama legislature.

​Setting the Record Straight on Infrastructure and Accomplishments

​Brooks blasted campaign mailers and advertisements from the Lomax camp claiming he achieved nothing during his extensive career in public office.

​"That's categorically and demonstrably untrue," Brooks said, pointing to a long list of local physical achievements. "I helped build seven overpasses on Memorial Parkway. I helped build I-565 and Cecil Ashburn over Blevins Gap. I'm responsible for getting the gymnasium built down in South Huntsville for our kids at Fern Bell, two different greenways, and two different parks."

​Beyond local infrastructure, Brooks highlighted his federal victories on border security, detailing how he personally negotiated with former House Speaker Paul Ryan to block amnesty bills and successfully stripped provisions from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would have allowed illegal aliens to compete for military academy slots.

​The $45 Million Threat: Out-of-State Gambling Smelling Blood

​The most urgent warning from the former congressman focused on the massive financial wave hitting Alabama's legislative races. According to Brooks, out-of-state gambling moguls are funneling roughly $45 million into the state through complex political action committee (PAC) laundering pipelines, specifically naming entities like the Sports Betting Alliance and the American Conservative Fund.

​"They only care about one thing, and that is how much money they can get by fleecing Alabama citizens," Brooks warned, noting that his Duke University degree in economics gives him a distinct perspective on the broader impact of legalized gambling. "It siphons money out of our economy. It will decrease our income taxes, decrease our sales tax collections, and increase our social costs because of gambling losses from people who can't afford it."

​Brooks sharply criticized Lomax for voting in favor of House Bills 151 and 152 during the 2024 session, which would have opened the door to widespread casino gaming and sports betting across the state.

​A Defining Record on Taxes

​Addressing allegations that he voted for numerous tax increases during his time in the state legislature, Brooks dismissed the claims as a complete fabrication that manipulates the reality of Alabama’s legislative structure.

​He explained that 80 of the 100 bills cited by his opponent were local courtesy bills requested by individual counties that had zero impact on Madison County residents. Brooks emphasized that allowing local communities to fund their own needs actually prevented statewide tax hikes that would have forced Huntsville taxpayers to subsidize other regions.

​"Anyone who knows my record knows I am a tax fighter," Brooks said, pointing to his history of voting to cut federal taxes by more than $2.5 trillion and his past recognition as the number-one tax fighter by the Alabama Taxpayers Defense Fund.

​Special Interests vs. The Public Interest

​As the primary election looms on Tuesday, May 19, Brooks acknowledged the steep uphill climb of being outspent by a staggering margin of over $1 million to roughly $110,000. He revealed that 90% of Lomax’s campaign funding comes from special interest PACs—including gambling interests, trial lawyers, utility companies, and the AEA—while his own campaign was built entirely on clean donations from individual citizens.

​"I have a reputation for being independent. I think for myself, and I represent the general public," Brooks said. "I can only pray that the citizens of House District 20 take the time to do the research, to understand and discern what the truth is. If they do, then I believe we'll be just fine."

Former Congressman Mo Brooks joins Christopher M. Peeks and Brandon Moseley on The BCS: State of Alabama to push back against campaign attacks from Rep. James Lomax. Brooks breaks down his local infrastructure accomplishments, details his fierce opposition to out-of-state gambling interests, and clarifies his tax fighting record ahead of the House District 20 primary election.