WASHINGTON — State Rep. Rhett Marques released his first television ad Tuesday in his bid for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District seat under the 2023 congressional map.
Marques was previously running for the 1st District seat until a Supreme Court ruling allowed Alabama to revert to a Republican-friendly congressional map, giving the GOP a pickup opportunity in the 2nd District. The Republican candidate’s home base in Enterprise was redrawn into the 2nd District.
The 30-second ad highlights his conservative record, as his previous ads did in the AL-1 race, and reemphasizes his key endorsements.
President Donald Trump endorsed the Enterprise Republican in June after U.S. Sen. Katie Britt backed him at the beginning of his congressional bid last year.
“I’m Rhett Marques, the America First fighter President Trump trusts to get the job done. Because the fight to save our country is far from over,” Marques said in the TV spot.
The buy totals more than $200,000 between broadcast and cable television, Marques’ campaign told Alabama Daily News, ensuring the ad will run through Election Day across the Dothan, Montgomery and Columbus media markets.
“I’ll work with them to deport criminal illegals, ban DEI, and keep boys out of girls’ locker rooms,” the ad states.
In a crowded Republican field for the new 2nd District, Marques is the only candidate out with TV ads ahead of the Aug. 11 special primary.
The state representative will face Republicans Hampton Harris, Christian Horn, David Matthews, Joshua McKee and James Richardson on the ballot next month.
There will be no runoff election after the special primary, so the winner will face incumbent Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures in the November general election.
Though President Donald Trump would have won the new district by 14 points in 2024, national Democrats plan to invest significant resources to try to keep the seat blue.
This story has been updated to reflect why Marques is running for Alabama’s 2nd District due to redistricting.