ENTERPRISE, Ala. — State Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, won the Republican nomination for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District Tuesday night, defeating five other candidates in a winner-take-all special primary.
In unofficial returns, Marques had about 50% of the vote with roughly 62% of ballots counted, ahead of business owner and attorney Hampton Harris (20.4%) and former Trump appointee David Matthews (18.2%). Marques will face incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures of Mobile, the only Democrat to qualify for the race, in the general election.
The contest is being held under a map drawn by the Alabama Legislature in 2023 after a federal court found the state’s 2021 congressional map violated the Voting Rights Act by denying Black voters a fair chance to elect their preferred candidates in the case known as Allen v. Milligan. Courts later found the 2023 map also fell short and ordered new lines, including a 2nd District with a Black voting-age population of 48.7%; Figures won that redrawn district in 2024. In April, however, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais raised the bar for Voting Rights Act challenges, and the Court reversed its Milligan decision in June, allowing Alabama to use the 2023 map. That map lowers the 2nd District’s Black voting-age population to 39.9% and gives it a Republican lean.
Marques campaigned on an endorsement from President Donald Trump and his voting record in the Alabama Legislature since 2018, including support for the state’s near-total abortion ban, several tax cuts and a 2026 law extending the death penalty to child sexual assault. Addressing a crowd of about 100 supporters in Enterprise, Marques said keeping Republican control of the U.S. House was essential. “This is not just about flipping a district,” he said. “This is about craziness and common sense.” Harris, who finished second, said he would back Marques in the general election despite disagreements during the primary over the state’s gas tax. “We’re going to make sure we’re unified and we run as a team because that’s what’s important,” he said.
Figures, in a statement, criticized Marques over his past vote to raise the state gas tax and his support for U.S. involvement in Iran, saying it would raise fuel prices further. “The choice in this race is simple; I have worked for the people of Alabama because that is who we should be working for,” Figures said.
Marques credits Britt, Trump for his win
Addressing supporters after the victory, Marques first thanked President Trump for giving his campaign a late boost with his endorsement, then turned to U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, who backed him early in his congressional bid.
“This all started with somebody we all know, and most of us all love, Katie Britt,” Marques said. “Without Katie, without Senator Britt, rather, I promise you, and I can’t stress this enough, I would not be standing right here before you. But I’m standing here as your nominee.”
Britt had been one of Marques’ most prominent supporters well before the primary. Her Alabama First leadership PAC contributed $10,000 to his campaign last year, and she later campaigned with him in Alabama. Marques also called on Republicans who had backed his primary opponents to unite behind his campaign. “I want to ask those of you who voted for the other opponents in this race to come with us, to help us, to make sure that we win this district and make it red,” he said.
A race both sides call pivotal
Marques, who is from Enterprise and represents parts of Coffee County in the Alabama Legislature, has also been endorsed by the Alabama Farmers Federation, the Alabama Forestry Association and the Home Builders Association — groups with deep influence across the rural, agricultural Wiregrass region that anchors much of the new district.
Marques predicted the general election will draw national attention. “This is probably going to be one of the most highly contested races in the country,” he said. “It’s going to be the most watched. I assure you it is incumbent upon all of us to go out and talk to people and make sure that we get the support.”
Figures, seeking a second term after winning his first election in 2024 with 55% of the vote, touted his record in Washington. “I have delivered over $17 million to the district, including support for our hospitals and our law enforcement, and funds to build affordable housing and improve our water and transportation infrastructure,” he said in a statement. “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.”
National Democrats are also rallying behind Figures, one of 26 members of Congress the party considers endangered by redistricting nationwide. State Sen. Bobby Singleton, chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, said the party plans to invest heavily in the district. “(District 2) is a worthy investment,” Singleton said. “We’ll help put people on the ground and get the message out.” U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, Alabama’s other Black member of Congress, added: “The only way we can get things back is if we vote our way back.”
David Alan Hughes, an associate professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette who studies the district, said the race will be close but difficult for Figures. “It will be competitive, but tough,” Hughes said. “He’ll do well compared to other districts, but I would still be surprised if Shomari Figures can retain that seat.”
Data centers emerge as a flashpoint
One issue already shaping the general election is the rapid growth of data center development in Lowndes and Montgomery counties. Figures has staked out a cautious position, arguing local communities should have more say and be able to capture more tax revenue from the projects. “Do you think Donald Trump wants a data center next to his house?” Figures said. “Do you think Tommy Tuberville wants a data center next to his house in Florida? No. So why should you and your house be treated any differently?” He pointed to Google’s investment in Jackson County as a model for how such projects could benefit surrounding communities.
Marques has said he isn’t opposed to data centers broadly. “There are plenty of places in Alabama for a data center,” he said, adding that “it should be up to the local counties and municipalities” to decide, though he has not detailed how state government might give local officials more control over planning and tax decisions.