Matthews Highlights Jackson Hospital Fight
AL-02 GOP congressional candidate says saving Jackson Hospital mattered more than campaigning, urging voters to watch his full speech
David Matthews, Republican candidate in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District, has released video of a recent speech outlining his efforts to help Jackson Hospital during its financial crisis, arguing that preserving the Montgomery medical center took precedence over his congressional campaign.
Speaking before the Capital City Republican Women, Matthews described learning about the severity of the hospital's financial troubles and deciding to shift his focus away from campaign events to assist with efforts to protect the facility.
Jackson Hospital, a 332-bed medical center that employs about 1,800 people, entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2025 as it sought to restructure its finances. Matthews said the hospital's future carries significant consequences for patients, employees, and the broader Montgomery region.
Drawing from Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, Matthews said there are moments when public service should take priority over politics.
"There was campaign work to be done, events to attend, and votes to earn," Matthews said. "But there is a time for everything. When I learned what was at stake at Jackson Hospital, I dropped everything I was doing and tried to help. Eighteen hundred jobs, a 332-bed hospital, and access to care for an entire community were far more important than my campaign."
Matthews acknowledged that he does not currently hold elected office but argued that leadership is demonstrated through action rather than title.
"I am not the Congressman yet, but I was not going to use that as an excuse to sit on the sidelines," Matthews said. "When people tell me a situation is too difficult, too far gone, or not politically convenient, that does not discourage me. It makes me fight harder. I do not give up on communities, institutions, or people simply because someone else has decided there is no hope."
The Republican candidate said his response to the Jackson Hospital crisis reflects the approach he would bring to Congress if elected.
"Alabama's 2nd District needs a Congressman who will keep fighting when the situation is difficult and when the odds are long," Matthews said. "That is the kind of fight I tried to bring to Jackson Hospital, and it is the kind of fight I will bring to Congress."
Matthews encouraged residents across Montgomery and Alabama's 2nd Congressional District to view and share the complete address.
Matthews, an Ozark native, served in both Trump administrations, where his campaign says he worked on issues affecting farmers, rural communities, and American families. He is seeking the Republican nomination for Alabama's 2nd Congressional District.
For more information on Matthews and his campaign, visit https://davidmatthewsforcongress.com.
Matthews speech to the Capital City Republican Women may be seen on YouTube and below:
