Who's running in Alabama's 2nd congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Shomari Figures currently holds this seat
High confidenceHigh confidenceBacked by government records or the candidate's own official statements, with agreement across several independent sources.What would raise it: Nothing missing — this is the strongest evidence tier.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Putting 'the people and interests and needs of this district first and foremost'.
Legislation to keep rural hospitals open.
Helping farmers and securing federal funding for counties across the district.
Lowering costs and expanding access to health care.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Alabama's 2nd District since January 2025; won in 2024 with 54.6% under a court-ordered map.
Unopposed in the August 11, 2026 special Democratic primary.
Had raised about $1.35 million through July 22, 2026, according to the Alabama Reflector.
Endorsed by the DCCC and state Democratic Party, which call defending the seat a priority.
Arguments in favor
'Shomari Figures is the fighter that the people of Alabama need in Congress. He's laser-focused on the issues that matter most: lowering costs, expanding access to health care, and creating economic opportunity.'
— Rep. Suzan DelBene, DCCC chair, reported by the Alabama Reflector
'We have a record of delivering, a record of providing resources to this district… whether it's issues to help our farmers or issues to help people who need to keep the hospital in their communities open.'
— Shomari Figures, to the Alabama Reflector
Arguments against
'My opponent… he will not only prop them up, he will caucus with them, and he's going to vote with them' — Figures would empower progressives like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
— Rhett Marques, Republican opponent, victory speech reported by the Alabama Reflector
Democratic congressional candidates 'embrace the values of liberal extremist states like Massachusetts, California, and New York'.
— Rep. Scott Stadthagen, Alabama Republican Party chair, reported by the Alabama Reflector
What we couldn’t verify
Figures's campaign website could not be located.
Whether the candidates will debate had not been reported; Figures's campaign has accused Marques of dodging debates.
Reducing taxes and regulations on small businesses, including no tax on overtime.
Bringing Alabama business tax measures, such as excluding credit card fees from sales taxes, to Congress.
Preventing progressive Democrats from gaining control of Congress.
Supporting President Trump's agenda.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Alabama state representative for District 91 since 2018.
Former owner of a tire and automotive service centre in Enterprise.
Ran in the voided May 19 primary for the 1st District, then switched to the 2nd District under the new map because of his residence.
Won the August 11, 2026 special Republican primary with about 50% over Hampton Harris, David Matthews and three others.
Endorsed by President Trump, Sen. Katie Britt, Speaker Mike Johnson and the NFIB; had raised about $1.32 million through July 22, 2026.
Arguments in favor
'As a state representative over the last eight years, I have worked hard to make sure that we have put more money into the hardworking people of this state.'
— Rhett Marques, at a Sept. 10 news conference reported by the Alabama Reflector
He 'was a voice for small business owners' in the Legislature.
— Rosemary Elebash, Alabama state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, reported by the Alabama Reflector
Arguments against
'Rhett should quit dodging debates and explain to voters why he's voted to raise taxes more than 20 times.'
— Shomari Figures campaign, statement reported by the Alabama Reflector
'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.'
— Shomari Figures, Democratic opponent, statement reported by the Alabama Reflector
What we couldn’t verify
The specific votes behind the Figures campaign's claim that Marques voted to raise taxes more than 20 times were not identified in the coverage read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
The map changed for 2026, and this district changed the most. After the US Supreme Court's April 2026 decision in Louisiana v. Callais weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, Alabama reinstated its 2023 Legislature-passed map, which federal courts had ruled denied Black voters an equal opportunity; a federal panel blocked it on May 26 and the Supreme Court allowed its use on June 2. The May 19 primary results in this district were voided and a special primary was held on August 11 with no runoff. November 3 is the general election, decided by plurality. The redrawn district covers the Wiregrass, Montgomery and the eastern Black Belt; its Black voting-age population fell from 48.7% to 39.9%, and the Cook Political Report rates it R+7. Two candidates are certified for the ballot by the Secretary of State (certifications dated August 26, 2026): Democratic incumbent Shomari Figures, unopposed, and Republican state Rep. Rhett Marques, who won a six-way special primary with about 50%. No independent candidates were certified for any Alabama congressional seat. The University of Virginia Center for Politics moved the race from likely to lean Republican in September.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Alabama ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.