WASHINGTON — The House Republicans’ campaign arm bought its first coordinated ad buy with State Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, on Thursday, representing the group’s first foray into Alabama’s close 2nd Congressional District race days before the election.
In the past week, nonpartisan election forecasters have shifted the race between Marques and U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, in Democrats’ favor and recent GOP-aligned polling shows the contest is within the margin of error.
Republicans had been optimistic they could flip the seat after the Legislature implemented a Republican-friendly map this year following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais. But recent moves show they’re trying to give a last-minute boost to Marques in the tight race.
The National Republican Congressional Committee spent about $36,0000 on broadcast media in the Columbus market in coordination with Marques’ campaign, according to ad tracking firm AdImpact.
“The NRCC’s historic fundraising cycle allows us to be flexible and support candidates across the battleground, ensuring we’re in a strong position to capitalize on each pickup opportunity while fiercely defending our incumbents,” NRCC Spokesman Reilly Richardson said in a statement to Alabama Daily News.
Richardson added that the group is “proud” to support Marques and called him an “exceptionally strong candidate who’s going to flip this seat.”
On Thursday, the NRCC also touted that Figures has been named to national news outlets’ “most vulnerable” incumbents lists as the group aims to flip the district, which President Donald Trump would have won by 14 points in 2024.
On the other side, House Democrats’ campaign arm, which has spent more than $2.2 million in coordination with Figures’ campaign since the special primary, touted the recent race rating changes as signs the congressman can keep his seat this cycle.
A Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson, Eli Cousin, said the contrast between Figures and Marques has helped the incumbent draw “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.”
Since the special primary, Democratic groups have outpaced the GOP in ad spending in the 2nd District race, despite the largest single spender in the race being a President Donald Trump-aligned super PAC named No Going Back. The Republican-aligned organization alone has spent nearly $2.8 million to boost Marques’ campaign, according to AdImpact.
When combined with the DCCC’s spending in coordination with Figures’ campaign, two outside groups have contributed about $6.1 million on advertising to help Figures.
Trump amplified his endorsement of Marques in a social media video on Thursday, propping up the Enterprise Republican and attacking Figures.
“Rhett is a successful small business owner who voted to cut your taxes by $1.5 billion in the state Legislature. As your next congressman, he will vote to keep our border strong and secure, like I’ve done,” Trump said.
The president called Figures a “Democrat communist” as the GOP tries to paint Figures as too extreme for Alabama.
But Figures responded to the video in a Facebook post, saying that he is not a communist and that the president is “the 2nd best motivator for voters, right behind these gas prices!”
Though Trump re-upped his endorsement of Marques, the president, who faces sagging poll numbers but retains some favorability in Alabama, has not been central to Marques’ general election campaign messaging.
Both parties see the 2nd District race as key to controlling the U.S. House next year. National politicians have recently made campaign stops throughout the 2nd District as the candidates make their final pitches to voters.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise joined Marques for a law enforcement roundtable in Dothan in late October. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., visited Dothan and Montgomery with Figures.
On the campaign trail, Marques has framed the race as a national fight over control of Congress, calling it “craziness versus common sense.” Figures has focused on local economic issues, especially gas prices, during his campaign and has looked to tap into anger over redistricting efforts to boost turnout, especially among Black voters this cycle.
Campaign fundraising
In the 20 days before the election, candidates must submit notices of contributions totaling $1,000 or more. According to those campaign finance filings, several House Republicans, including members of leadership, have contributed to Marques’ campaign coffers in the final sprint.
From Alabama, U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, and Dale Strong, R-Huntsville, through leadership PACs, each contributed $5,000 to Marques’ campaign.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Majority Whip Top Emmer also recently donated to the Enterprise Republican.
For Figures, several House Democrats, including through their leadership PACs, have donated to his campaign over the past couple of weeks.
Overall, as of Oct. 14, Figures held a cash advantage, raising about $2.7 million with $1.2 million on hand. Marques raised $1.7 million and had $178,000 on hand.
Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.