Republican Rhett Marques has clinched the GOP nomination in Alabama's 2nd Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ projections, setting up a high-stakes November clash with Democratic incumbent Shomari Figures. The race has become a focal point in the battle for House control, as the redrawn district tilts decisively toward the GOP.
Marques, a businessman, emerged victorious in the Republican runoff, defeating small business owner Hampton Harris, who had won the initial primary in May. Figures, a Democrat, ran unopposed in both the primary and runoff, conserving resources for the general election.
The contest unfolds against a backdrop of legal and political turmoil. In June, the Supreme Court allowed Alabama Republicans to reinstate a 2023 congressional map that dismantles the majority-Black district centered on Montgomery, a move that significantly diminishes Figures' reelection prospects. The new map stretches from the Georgia border to Mississippi, carving out a district that the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates as "likely" to flip to the GOP in November.
Figures has sharply criticized the Supreme Court's decision, calling it a cynical attempt to dilute Black voting power. Despite the unfavorable terrain, he has vowed to stay in the race and fight for the seat. "Our path back to the majority hinges on holding seats like Shomari's," said DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene in a statement to The Alabama Daily News. "Cynical efforts to racially gerrymander Shomari out of his seat and silence the voice of the people of Alabama will be rejected by voters in November, and I look forward to welcoming Shomari back to Congress."
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has placed Figures on its Frontline program, which supports vulnerable incumbents. This designation underscores the national stakes of the race, as Democrats seek to defend their narrow majority.
Marques, meanwhile, is running on a platform of conservative economic policies and border security, aiming to capitalize on the district's new Republican-leaning demographics. His campaign has emphasized local issues, including infrastructure and job creation, while national Republicans are pouring resources into the district to secure a pickup.
The redrawing of Alabama's 2nd District has been a contentious legal battle, with civil rights groups arguing that the map violates the Voting Rights Act. The Supreme Court's decision to allow the map has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who see it as part of a broader pattern of Republican gerrymandering efforts across the South.
Figures, a former federal prosecutor, has highlighted his record on criminal justice reform and economic development, hoping to appeal to a broad coalition. However, the new district's demographics present a formidable challenge, as it now includes more rural, conservative areas that previously leaned Republican.
Political analysts note that the race could be a bellwether for suburban and rural voter sentiment heading into the midterms. Both parties are expected to pour significant funds into the contest, making it one of the most closely watched House races in the country.
With early voting set to begin in October, both campaigns are ramping up their ground games. Marques is banking on national tailwinds and the district's new lines, while Figures is relying on his incumbency and grassroots support to overcome the odds. The outcome will likely hinge on turnout in the newly added counties and the ability of each candidate to define the other before Election Day.
