Alabama New 2nd Congressional District: The race to claim the Alabama’s brand-new 2nd Congressional District is looking like a real showdown.
We’re talking a whopping twenty-one contenders here—13 Democrats and 8 Republicans. Let’s break it down a bit.
On the Democratic side, you’ve got a mix:
– James Averhart, a retired U.S. Marine and former 2020 congressional candidate
– Rep. Napoleon Bracy, Jr., D-Prichard
– Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove
– House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville
– Shomari Figures, former deputy chief of staff to the U.S. attorney general and son of Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile
– Brian Gary
– Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham
– Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika
– Phyllis Harvey-Hall, an education consultant and 2020 and 2022 congressional candidate
– Willie J. Lenard
– Vimal Patel, a realtor
– Larry Darnell Simpson, a musician
– Darryl Sinkfield
The Republican lineup is no less fierce:
– Sen. Greg Albritton, R-Atmore
– Former Sen. Dick Brewbaker, R-Pike Road
– Caroleene Dobson, an attorney
– Karla M. DuPriest, a business owner and 2022 U.S. Senate candidate
– Wallace Gilberry, a former University of Alabama and NFL football player
– Hampton Harris, a realtor
– Stacey T. Shepperson
– Belinda Thomas, a member of the Newton City Council in Dale County
Hold on, though—there’s been some last-minute shuffle. The spotlight shifted with candidates like Coleman, who’d been mulling over the race for a while, joining in. Meanwhile, Sen. Kirk Hatcher, D-Montgomery, who threw his hat in the ring late last month, decided to step back.
Hatcher, in a message to the Alabama Reflector on Friday, shared, “I am well-tutored in the knowledge that just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Instead, I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the people of District 26 alongside my good friends in the Senate.”
ALSO READ: Five Democrats Gear Up for a Showdown in Alabama: 2nd Congressional District Race
Coleman, formally announcing her candidacy, expressed her desire to “amplify our shared values, break barriers, and build a future where every Alabamian’s voice is not just heard but celebrated.”
Now, this district is likely to sway Democratic, although the general election might still get the competition juices flowing.
Picture this—stretching from Washington and northern Mobile counties at the Mississippi border to the southern Black Belt, all the way up to Montgomery County and Russell and Barbour counties at the Georgia line.
This change in the congressional map, approved by a federal court in October, comes after about two years of legal back-and-forth. The court aimed to create two congressional districts—Districts 2 and 7—where Black voters get to elect their preferred leaders. The 2nd district’s Black voting age population is just under 49%, setting the stage for a Democratic leaning.
Now, Democrats in the race are honing in on district improvements, with a focus on education, infrastructure, and healthcare. Bracy emphasizes the core of progress—education, healthcare, economics, and workforce development. Daniels talks about tackling the lack of maternal care and OB-GYNs, with an eye on coaxing Alabama to expand Medicaid. Givan aims to be a district advocate, highlighting healthcare access as a top priority. Gray, citing reliable housing, childcare, and women’s rights, makes his stance clear on Facebook.
The Republican candidates, on the other hand, are rallying around economic concerns. Brewbaker zooms in on rising living costs as a priority, while Albritton leans on his understanding of the district’s economy, backed by a track record in identifying needs and connecting with the people.
Dobson, with a more explicit cultural war approach, vows to fight for “our families, our farms, and our faith” in Washington, taking a stand against the far left’s attempts to control property and dictate thoughts and speech.
Hatcher’s exit, however, leaves Montgomery, a blue-leaning area and the district’s biggest city, without a major Democratic candidate as of Friday afternoon.
Get ready for the showdown in March with the primaries for the seat!