ALABAMA — Alabama voters head to the polls Tuesday for a second primary election in four congressional districts, including the newly redrawn 2nd District, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that altered the state’s electoral map.
Six Republican candidates are competing to challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Shomari Figures in November, under new district boundaries that reduce the Black voting-age population in the 2nd District from 50% to approximately 40%. The changes were implemented after the Supreme Court ruled that Alabama’s previous map, which included two majority-Black districts, violated the Voting Rights Act by relying too heavily on racial considerations. The new lines, drawn by state Republicans, are projected to give the GOP a seven-point advantage in the district, where President Donald Trump would have won 57% to 42% in the 2024 presidential election under the revised boundaries—compared to a 53% to 46% win for Vice President Kamala Harris in the current district.
The primary was originally scheduled for May 19 but was postponed by Republican Gov. Kay Ivey following the Supreme Court’s decision. Candidates running under the new maps will serve in their current districts until the end of 2026, with the new boundaries taking effect in January 2027.
Key candidates in the 2nd District race include:
- State Rep. Rhett Marques, endorsed by former President Donald Trump and the top fundraiser in the field.
- Army veteran Joshua McKee.
- Real estate broker Hampton Harris, the only candidate who initially planned to challenge Figures before the redistricting decision.
- Three additional Republican contenders are also vying for the nomination.
Figures, who won the seat in 2024 after the Supreme Court forced Alabama to add a second majority-minority district, is seeking re-election in the reconfigured 2nd District. Both of Alabama’s Democratic members of Congress are unopposed in their primaries under the new maps.
Redistricting and Legal Context
The Alabama Legislature redrew the state’s congressional districts in 2023 to create a 6–1 Republican majority in the state’s delegation, a move that followed a Supreme Court ruling requiring the addition of a second majority-Black district. However, a subsequent Supreme Court decision in 2024 barred states from drawing districts primarily based on race, leading to the removal of Mobile—a majority-Black city—from the 2nd District. This change diluted Democratic-leaning minority voter influence in the district, which has been held by Republicans since 1965, except for Figures’ 2024 victory.
The redrawn map is part of a broader Republican effort, championed by Trump, to maximize the party’s chances of maintaining its slim House majority in the 2026 midterm elections. Similar redistricting efforts have been undertaken in other Republican-controlled Southern states, including Louisiana and Tennessee, following the 2024 Supreme Court ruling.
Voter Confusion and Turnout Concerns
The rapid redrawing of district lines has caused confusion among Alabama voters, many of whom are participating in a second primary election within months. Elections officials have noted that the changes may suppress voter turnout, particularly in areas where district boundaries have shifted significantly.
Tuesday’s primaries will determine nominees for the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 7th Congressional Districts. Results from the May primary were voided, and candidates are now running under the new district configurations. The winners of Tuesday’s contests will face Democratic nominees in the November general election.