Alabama race tightens with tax cuts on the line

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(The Center Square) – Redrawn districts and tight polling are bringing national attention to candidates in Alabama who are divided on tariffs, healthcare and education policy.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed Alabama’s use of a 2023 congressional map that would favor Republicans. Previously, Alabama used a congressional map that included a majority-Black district in accordance with the Voting Rights Act.

However, the nation’s highest court in April dismantled the portion of the Voting Rights Act that allowed for the creation of majority-minority congressional districts across the southeast United States. In Alabama, this allowed Republicans to shift the 2nd Congressional District in favor of the GOP.

U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Ala., represents the second congressional district and will face off against Republican candidate Rhett Marques in November. While congressional district shifting favors Republicans in this race, a recent poll noted high turnout from Black voters could help Figures keep control of the seat.

“While Figures shows up and delivers for the people of Alabama, his opponent Rhett Marques has been supporting tax increases and policies that raise costs for working people,” said Eli Cousin, spokesperson for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. "That clear contrast is why Congressman Figures is drawing support from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in every corner of Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District as he builds the coalition needed to win in November.”

Figures attacked the Trump administration’s tariff policies throughout his tenure in Congress. He introduced a bill aimed at reversing the president’s beef tariffs and allowing 300,000 metric tons of beef to be imported into the country.

“Alabama farmers are already struggling to make ends meet thanks to skyrocketing input costs caused by the president’s war with Iran and retaliatory tariffs stemming from his reckless trade policies,” Figures said.

Marques has focused his campaign on cutting taxes for middle-class families and touted his record as a state legislator in the Alabama House of Representatives as evidence of his support for lower taxes.

“I will fight to eliminate wasteful spending, lower taxes, and put more of your hard-earned money back in your pocket so hardworking Alabamians will prosper like never before,” Marques’s website reads.

Figures also proposed increasing tax relief for families in Alabama. He proposed a bill that would give parents who pay out of pocket for youth sports a tax break of up to $5,000 per year.

“Whether it is tutoring, youth sports, or training in the arts, such as music, theater, or dance, families are facing growing costs to help their children gain the valuable lessons and benefits of extracurricular activities,” Figures said.

Marques, who was endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, said he would work to eliminate taxes on overtime pay if elected to Congress.

“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,” Marques said at a news conference.

Figures holds only a slight edge over Marques in campaign contributions with $1.35 million compared to Marques with $1.31 million, according to the Federal Election Commision. Figures has more than $662,000 in cash on hand compared to Marques with $187,000.

Figures received $5,000 from Ellen Ferguson, a museum administrator in Seattle, and $52,000 from ActBlue, a campaign fundraising platform for Democratic candidates across the country. Marques received $5,000 from the United States Peanut PAC, $5,000 from Alabama Peanut Producers Association and $7,000 from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

The last day to request an absentee ballot in Alabama is Oct. 29. All absentee ballots must be recieved by noon on Nov. 3. Polls in Alabama are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. 

For more information, visit the Alabama Secretary of State's website, at sos.alabama.gov. For early results on election night and more information about candidates visit thecentersquare.com/alabama.