In Alabama’s newly drawn 2nd Congressional District, voters will decide in November whether Democrat incumbent Rep. Shomari Figures or Republican challenger Rhett Marques will represent them in Washington. The race has drawn national attention because the redrawn map, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in June, favors Republicans, yet a recent poll suggests strong turnout among Black voters could keep the seat in Democratic hands.
Policy contrasts drive the campaign
Figures, a longtime advocate for working families, has criticized the Trump administration’s trade policies, calling the president’s beef tariffs “reckless” and blaming them for rising farm input costs. While the administration’s tariffs were intended to protect American producers and secure fair market access, Figures argues they have hurt Alabama’s agricultural sector.
In response, Figures is pushing a bill that would reverse the beef tariffs and allow 300,000 metric tons of beef to be imported, a move he says would lower food prices for consumers. He also proposes a tax credit of up to $5,000 per year for parents who pay out‑of‑pocket for youth sports, tutoring, or arts programs, emphasizing the importance of extracurricular activities for children’s development.
Marques’ tax‑cut platform
Marques, a former state legislator, is campaigning on a broad tax‑cut agenda. His website promises to eliminate wasteful spending, lower taxes, and return hard‑earned money to “hard‑working Alabamians.” He also pledges to remove taxes on overtime pay and has secured an endorsement from the National Federation of Independent Business, signaling strong support from the small‑business community.
Both candidates are positioning themselves as champions of families, but their approaches differ sharply. Figures highlights targeted tax relief for families with children, while Marques emphasizes sweeping tax reductions for all middle‑class earners.
Fundraising snapshot
According to the Federal Election Commission, Figures holds a slight financial edge with $1.35 million raised compared with Marques’ $1.31 million. Figures also enjoys a larger cash‑on‑hand balance—over $662,000 versus Marques’ $187,000. Notable contributions include $5,000 from museum administrator Ellen Ferguson (Seattle) and $52,000 from ActBlue for Figures, while Marques received $5,000 each from the United States Peanut PAC and the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, plus $7,000 from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.
Election logistics
Alabama voters should note that the deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 29, with all absentee ballots required by noon on Nov. 3. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. For further details, visit the Alabama Secretary of State’s website at sos.alabama.gov or follow local coverage at thecentersquare.com/alabama.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
