Rep. Barry Moore’s “D.C. Garbage” Ad Wins Prestigious Telly Award
“I’m the garbage man you sent to D.C. to take out the trash.” - Congressman Barry Moore
Congressman Barry Moore’s viral campaign ad “D.C. Garbage” has earned national recognition, taking home a Telly Award for Best Political Advertising in the craft of Directing. The spot, which ran during Moore’s 2024 re-election campaign for Alabama’s 1st Congressional District, combined sharp humor with a hard-hitting message that resonated deeply with conservative voters across the country.
In the ad, Moore, standing next to a roll-off dumpster in a nod to his roots as a former garbage man and small business owner, declares, “I’m the garbage man you sent to D.C. to take out the trash.” The line quickly became a favorite among supporters and was viewed more than 175,000 times on YouTube.
The commercial was directed by Jonathan Barbee, a seven-time Telly Award winner and longtime political strategist. Produced by Barbee Media Group, the ad featured sound design by Joel Brewer, editing by Marc Ward, and media planning from Jason Anderson of Freedom Media. The script was written by Heather Moore, the congressman’s wife, whose creative vision also earned her a Telly Award for the project.
“This ad was personal for all of us,” said Jonathan Barbee. “Barry’s story—from hauling trash to hauling truth in Congress—is as authentic as it gets. We just brought that story to life in a way that made people laugh, relate, and believe in what he stands for. We’re proud the Telly Awards recognized that.”
“I used to run a garbage business. I know what real work looks like, and I know firsthand that Washington is long overdue for a cleanup,” said Congressman Moore. “This ad was a fun way to deliver a serious message. I’m proud to stand with President Trump in saying it’s time to take out the D.C. trash. In fact, after the ad went viral, even President Trump brought a garbage truck on stage at one of his rallies. That just shows we’re on the same page—and together, we’re the right team to clean up Washington.”
“D.C. Garbage” aired throughout Alabama’s 1st Congressional District and quickly gained traction nationwide through social media. Its mix of authenticity, humor, and messaging discipline helped define Moore’s image as a fearless fighter for conservative values.
The ad is available for viewing on Congressman Moore’s official YouTube channel.
"D.C. Garbage" ad from Barry Moore for CongressTT
About the Telly Awards
Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards honor excellence in video and television across all platforms. With over 13,000 entries annually from creators around the globe, the Tellys are a hallmark of achievement in broadcast, digital, and social media. Past recipients include HBO, ESPN, Adobe, Netflix, and National Geographic.
In addition to the win for “D.C. Garbage,” Jonathan Barbee also received a Telly this year for A Maple Avenue Christmas, a short film produced by Kelly Layne and directed by Kimberly Bauman. The film featured residents of Springville and Trussville, Alabama, and celebrated local talent and storytelling.
