MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama voters will head to the polls today to cast their ballot in the state’s 2024 primary elections, though one race in particular has gained national attention: the race to represent Alabama’s newly-drawn 2nd Congressional District.
Alabama’s 2nd District has been a Republican stronghold for decades, with just one Democrat having won the seat over the last 40 years.
After a federal court imposed a new congressional map on the state last year, increasing its Black population to nearly 50%, Democrats’ prospects in the district have improved dramatically, with 11 Democratic candidates set to appear on their party’s primary ballot.
While AL-2 now favors Democrats based on past election data, which shows the new district would have elected Black-preferred candidates in 15 of the past 17 election contests, Republicans have not counted the seat out.
The GOP ballot will feature eight Republicans, who, despite having three-fewer candidates than Democrats, have collectively raised about $1.75 million, nearly three times as much as Democrats’ collective $620,000.
Republicans hope that with a nominee who appeals to independents along with potential low enthusiasm among Democrats, they can keep the seat in the GOP column. With their majority hanging by a thread, keeping seats like this becomes increasingly key for Republicans.
Alabama’s 1st Congressional District has also produced a nationally watched contest in which two sitting congressmen have been drawn into the same district. U.S. Rep. Barry Moore – who currently represents AL-2 – decided to run in AL-1 after his home county was drawn into the 1st.
A recent poll showed the district’s incumbent, U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl, is leading the race, though in that same poll, 22% of voters remained undecided, enough of a margin to swing the election in either direction.
And the race for chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court has received renewed attention after the court made international headlines last month for its ruling that granted frozen embryos similar legal protections to that of children.
Today’s primary election will see two Republican candidates – Alabama Supreme Court Justice Sarah Stewart and former Alabama state senator Bryan Taylor – appear on the Republican primary ballot for chief justice. A recent poll has shown Stewart with a slight lead, though more than two-thirds of voters were still undecided. The winner today will face Democrat Greg Griffin, a circuit court judge, in November.
Voters will also have the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment that would permit state lawmakers to do away with a procedural vote known as the Budget Isolation Resolution before debating legislation unrelated to the state’s budgets, as is currently required by state law.
“Safe, secure, and transparent elections are a top priority and critical to the success of our state and our nation,” Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen told ADN Monday.
“I encourage all registered voters to grab their photo ID and exercise their constitutional right to vote on March 5.”
In 2016, presidential primary turnout was 41%; in 2020 it was 33%.
Polls will open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. To locate the appropriate polling site or to confirm voter registration status, click here. For more information on the primary election, click here.
View below for a full breakdown of candidates in the AL-1, AL-2 and chief justice races.
Alabama’s 1st Congressional District
Republican
Residence: Mobile
Occupation: U.S. legislator, founder of Cricket and Butterfly, Carl and Associates
Money raised: $2 million
Residence: Enterprise
Occupation: U.S. legislator, founder of Barry Moore Industries
Money raised: $688,424
Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District
Democratic
Residence: Mobile
Occupation: Executive director for Alabama NAACP, president of National Montford Point Marines Association
Money raised: $6,453
Residence: Prichard
Occupation: State legislator, manager of diversity, inclusion & affirmative action at Austal USA
Money raised: $106,382
Residence: Pleasant Grover
Occupation: State legislator, attorney, professor at Miles College
Money raised: $142,031
Residence: Huntsville
Occupation: State legislator, small business owner, former elementary school teacher
Money raised: $323,081
Residence: Mobile
Occupation: Former deputy chief of staff to Attorney General Merrick Garland, former Department of Justice advisor
Money raised: $299,290
Residence: Birmingham
Occupation: State legislator, attorney
Money raised: $41,396
Residence: Opelika
Occupation: State legislator, small business and nonprofit owner, author
Money raised: $128,072
Residence: Montgomery
Occupation: Education consultant, former public school teacher
Money raised: $16,284
Residence: Pike Road
Occupation: Retired
Money raised: $44,721
Residence: Troy
Occupation: Hospitality management
Money raised: $16,300
Residence: Mobile
Occupation: Retired
Money raised: Unreported
Republican
Residence: Atmore
Occupation: State legislator, former attorney
Money raised: $168,359
Residence: Pike Road
Occupation: President of Brewbaker Motors, former state legislator
Money raised: $815,400
Residence: Monroe County
Occupation: Real estate attorney
Money raised: $539,849
Residence: Mobile
Occupation: Business owner
Money raised: Unreported
Residence: Lowndesboro
Occupation: Attorney, real estate brokerage owner
Money raised: $56,413
Residence: Saraland
Occupation: Business owner, math instructor at Bishop State Community College
Money raised: Unreported
Residence: Newton
Occupation: Newton City Council member, nonprofit founder
Money raised: Unreported
Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice
Republican
Residence: Mobile
Occupation: Alabama Supreme Court associate justice
Money raised: $2.5 million
Residence: Birmingham
Occupation: Former state senator, former counsel to Gov. Kay Ivey, legal advisor to Gov. Bob Riley, former military prosecutor
Money raised: $123,408