Young Republican Federation of Alabama Meets in Enterprise, Knocks Doors for Rhett Marques

ENTERPRISE, Ala. — The Young Republican Federation of Alabama brought its fall state meeting to Enterprise last weekend and used much of the visit to knock on doors for state Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, the Republican nominee in the newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District.

The federation, known as YRFA, meets twice a year to hold organizational meetings and conduct business on behalf of its member clubs. This fall, organizers chose Enterprise specifically to put volunteers on the ground in Marques’ hometown with Election Day about two weeks away. Marques faces Democratic U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures in the Nov. 3 general election.

A state meeting built around canvassing

YRFA Chair Stephanie Petelos Nabavian said the Enterprise weekend was the final major event she planned before her term as chair ends next spring.

“This was the last major event I put together before my term ends this spring, and I’m so proud of how successful this weekend was, and how many people were willing to drive hours to knock doors,” Petelos Nabavian said.

“I’m very optimistic about the future of the YRs and the positive impact this group of young people will continue to make for years to come. Just as important as helping candidates, this weekend was about building friendships and developing relationships of young leaders.”

Petelos Nabavian is a Birmingham attorney and the daughter of former Hoover Mayor and Jefferson County Manager Tony Petelos. She previously chaired the Greater Birmingham Young Republicans and the Alabama Federation of College Republicans before winning a second term as state chair. During her tenure, the federation has chartered new clubs in Shelby, Pickens, Mobile, Lee and Baldwin counties.

Senior Vice Chairman Nate Butler said the weekend reflected the organization’s purpose.

“We’ve got some of the best members in the country, and I’m so thankful for their commitment to the Republican Party,” Butler said.

“My passion for this federation is to be the helping hand to those just starting, whether that’s connecting them to campaigns, professional development opportunities, or just growing our party one Young Republican at a time, and if the members who came to Enterprise this weekend are any indication of the direction we’re heading, we’ve got a bright future.”

Door-to-door canvassing is a common part of the final weeks of a campaign. Volunteers for candidates of both parties typically visit voters’ homes to share campaign literature, identify supporters and remind people when and where to vote, an effort often called get-out-the-vote, or GOTV.

Who is Rhett Marques?

Marques won the Republican nomination in August, taking 50.03% of the vote in a six-candidate special primary and carrying every county in the district except Lowndes and Dale.

A former Enterprise tire store owner, Marques has served in the Alabama House since 2018. He campaigned on his endorsement from President Donald Trump and his record in the Legislature. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Montgomery, and House Republican leadership also backed him.

Enterprise, in Coffee County, is part of the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama, an area that has historically voted strongly Republican and is a key part of Marques’ base in the redrawn district.

The incumbent and the redrawn district

Figures, a Mobile native, won the 2nd District seat in 2024 under a court-drawn map that stretched from Mobile east across the Black Belt to the Georgia line and north toward Montgomery. He took office in January 2025.

The Legislature redrew the district this year after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for the state’s map. The new 2nd District runs from the Wiregrass up through Montgomery and west to Lowndes and Butler counties. It no longer includes Mobile, and it reduces the district’s Black voting-age population from roughly 49% to about 40%. Trump would have carried the redrawn district by 14 points in 2024.

National Democrats have placed Figures on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Frontline list, a program that directs resources to vulnerable House incumbents. A June internal Democratic poll showed the race within a point. Republicans view the seat as their clearest opportunity to gain a House seat in Alabama.

Figures has also outraised Marques. Federal Election Commission reports filed this month show Figures raised more than $1 million in the third quarter, from the last week of July through September, while Marques raised about $317,000 over the same stretch. Figures entered October with $1.38 million in cash on hand, compared with about $328,000 for Marques, according to the filings. Both national parties and outside groups have spent heavily in the race.

If Marques wins, Republicans would hold six of Alabama’s seven U.S. House seats, the delegation’s makeup before the 2024 election. If Figures wins, the delegation would remain at five Republicans and two Democrats.

Other Alabama races drawing attention

The 2nd District is one of several Alabama contests attracting attention in the closing stretch. In north Alabama, Madison County has become highly competitive, with Democrats targeting Huntsville-area legislative seats, including Senate District 2 and several open House seats left by a wave of retirements.

Across the state, voters will also decide the race for governor between Republican U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Democrat Doug Jones, along with other statewide offices and local races and amendments.

What voters need to know

• Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Photo ID: Alabama voters must show a valid photo ID to vote.
• Absentee voting: Voters who qualify under state law may vote absentee; applications are handled by each county’s absentee election manager, and deadlines apply.
• District lookup: Because congressional lines changed this year, voters can confirm their district, polling place and sample ballot through AlabamaVotes.gov or their county board of registrars.