State Representative Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, won the Republican nomination for Alabama’s newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating five other candidates in a crowded special primary.
Marques received 16,411 votes, or 50.03 percent, according to unofficial election results. Hampton Harris finished second with 7,100 votes, or 21.65 percent, followed by David Matthews with 5,716 votes, or 17.43 percent.
Joshua McKee received 1,537 votes, or 4.69 percent, while James Richardson received 1,078 votes, or 3.29 percent. Christian Horn received 959 votes, or 2.92 percent.
A total of 32,801 votes were cast in the 2nd District Republican special primary, producing a turnout of 5.24 percent.
Marques led in every county except Lowndes and Dale, both of which were moved entirely into the 2nd District when lawmakers redrew the congressional map earlier this year. Harris led in Lowndes County, while Matthews led in Dale County.
“The stakes in November could not be higher. If you want more money in your pockets, safe streets for your kids to play on, strong communities, and our Christian values to be preserved for our kids and their kids, I’d be proud to earn your vote. With your help, common sense will conquer craziness in November,” Marques said in a statement.
Marques will face Representative Shomari Figures, D-Alabama, in the November general election. Figures was the only Democrat to qualify for the special election and did not face a primary challenger.
“The choice in this race is simple; I have worked for the people of Alabama because that is who we should be working for. My opponent would be just another rubber stamp on the same policies that are making life more expensive for the people right here in Alabama. I look forward to making that choice clear across Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, winning in November and continuing to fight for Alabama,” Figures said in a statement.
The race follows Alabama lawmakers’ adoption of a new congressional map after a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowed Louisiana to replace its existing map. The newly configured 2nd District stretches from the Wiregrass region through Montgomery and Lowndes County and is more favorable to Republicans than the district used in the 2024 election.
Marques entered the race with the backing of President Donald Trump, who endorsed him ahead of the primary. Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, also endorsed Marques. National Republicans have identified the redrawn district as an opportunity to regain a seat the party lost to Democrats in 2024.
The new map reduced the district’s Black voting-age population from about 48 percent to about 40 percent, making the November contest one of the state’s most closely watched congressional races as Republicans seek to strengthen their narrow U.S. House majority.
Marques’ victory sets up a November matchup between a Republican state lawmaker backed by prominent national Republicans and an incumbent Democrat seeking a second term in a district significantly reshaped since the last election.
The general election is scheduled for November 3.
