Farmers top concerns in Alabama U.S. House race

(The Center Square) - Candidates for the U.S. House in a redrawn Alabama district are divided over agricultural policy and tariffs in a race that has garnered national attention.

U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Ala., and Republican candidate Rhett Marques will face off in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District race in November.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed Alabama’s use of a 2023 congressional map that would favor Republicans. Previously, Alabama used a congressional map that included a majority-Black district in accordance with the Voting Rights Act.

However, the nation’s highest court in April dismantled the portion of the Voting Rights Act that allowed for the creation of majority-minority congressional districts across the southeast United States. In Alabama, this allowed Republicans to shift the district in favor of the GOP.

Rising gas and diesel prices due to the U.S. military conflict in Iran have affected the agricultural industry throughout the country. Rising agricultural costs have become a campaign issue in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District.

The average price of gas in Alabama is $3.93 per gallon, according to AAA. 

Marques visited a family farm in Dale County, Alabama, on Wednesday with Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga. He criticized Figures for voting against the farm bill, saying the legislation would have provided relief to farmers.

“That farm bill was going to help the farmers. The Democrats, including my opponent, voted against that,” Marques said. “That hurt farmers.”

Scott said he would work to get Marques appointed to the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture. Figures, who was first elected in 2024, currently serves on the Agriculture Committee and voted against the farm bill because he said it lacked necessary requirements for farmer relief.

The incumbent congressman has touted his efforts to buck the Trump administration’s tariff and agriculture policies. He introduced legislation to reverse the president’s beef tariffs.

Figures also introduced the Tariff Impacted Farmer Support Act, legislation that would authorize $15 billion in funds through the Commodity Credit Corporation for farms across the country. The funds would be available for producers of soybeans, cotton, corn, peanuts and poultry making less than $500,000 per year.

“Our farmers deserve our support, and my bill will provide the financial assistance needed to help preserve family farming operations, strengthen rural economies, and ensure that our producers can continue feeding, fueling, and clothing our nation,” Figures said.

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Trump has been repeatedly supportive of Marques and visited Alabama to campaign with him several times throughout the midterm blitz. The president acknowledged the race in Alabama’s second congressional district would be tight, but credited the closeness to recently redrawn congressional maps.

“You’re the only one that’s a little close because it’s new, it’s fresh,” Trump said to Marques. “It’s brand new, and once you’re in there for about two weeks, nobody’s going to come close.”

At the same rally, Marques slammed Figures for supporting lenient criminal policies and raising prices.

“If Democrats take control, they’ll make you more poor and your families less safe,” Marques said. “In Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, the choice on the ballot truly comes down to two things: craziness versus common sense. It’s that simple.”

Marques blamed rising agricultural prices on energy costs under President Joe Biden. He called for domestic energy production throughout the country.

“Alabama farmers know that Joe Biden and Shomari’s tax and spend policies, that is what’s driven up fuel and fertilizer costs through the roof,” Marques said.

Figures has a significant fundraising advantage over Marques with more than $2.4 million in campaign contributions. Marques has slightly more than $1.3 million in campaign contributions, according to the Federal Election Commission. 

Figured received $20,500 from the Clyburn Cleaver Figures Victory Fund, a political fundraising group associated with Reps. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., Emmanuel Cleaver, D-Mo., and Figures. He also received $10,000 from the California Leadership United for Victory PAC and $10,000 from Truist Financial Corporation Federal PAC, according to the FEC. 

Marques received $10,000 from the Republican Majority Fund, $5,000 from the National Automobile Dealers Association PAC and $5,000 from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama PAC, according to the FEC. 

The last day to request an absentee ballot in Alabama is Oct. 29. All absentee ballots must be received by noon on Nov. 3. Polls in Alabama are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

For more information, visit the Alabama Secretary of State's website at sos.alabama.gov. For early results on election night and more information about candidates visit thecentersquare.com/alabama.