Alabama’s Special Primaries Set Stage for November Elections

Following a Supreme Court decision that permits Alabama to utilize its 2023 congressional maps, the state has conducted special primaries in affected districts ahead of the crucial November elections.

In Tuesday’s Republican primary, two Trump-endorsed candidates emerged victorious. Former U.S. Representative Jerry Carl secured the 1st Congressional District with nearly 75% of the votes, while state Representative Rhett Marquez won the 2nd Congressional District with close to 50%.

Marquez aims to challenge incumbent Shomali Figures, who previously ran uncontested. The upcoming redistricting is anticipated to transform the district significantly, likely benefiting Republican candidates.

In the 6th Congressional District, incumbent Gary Palmer, who received Trump’s endorsement in 2023, is running for re-election. He comfortably won Tuesday’s primary with 87% of the votes. He will face Democratic contender Maurice Mercer, who captured over 64% of the vote in the November primary; Mercer’s race was noted to be the only contested Democratic primary.

Amy Akin clinched a decisive victory in the 7th Congressional District, which encompasses Birmingham, with more than 73% of the votes. She is seeking a ninth term and aims to oust long-standing Congressman Terry Sewell, a Democrat.

This special primary represents the culmination of extensive redistricting disputes within Alabama. A bipartisan site noted that the redistricting ahead of the 2022 election instigated legal challenges under the Voting Rights Act, despite only minor alterations from the state’s previous maps, which had been in use for a decade.

These legal challenges resulted in the establishment of a second majority-minority district intended for the 2024 elections. However, the Supreme Court’s approval of the 2023 redistricting plan has reverted the 2nd District in favor of Republicans as the 2026 midterms approach. The outcome remains uncertain.