Shomari Figures

Alabama just had an election -- but the state is gearing up for a new special primary for four congressional districts, and lots of contenders are putting their hats in the ring.

Several candidates have spent the last year -- and just appeared on the ballot -- for different congressional districts, but are trying to run now for districts considered more favorable for Republicans.

Republicans want congressional maps that send at least six members of their party to the U.S. House of Representatives. Republicans currently hold five of Alabama’s seven House seats.

They have been barred from drawing maps that could do that until 2030, but are trying their arguments again in court.

Congressional districts 1, 2, 6, and 7 will be on the ballot. Republicans will have contested races in all four.

Democrats will have a contested race in District 6. They have only one candidate in the other three districts, including two incumbents.

The incumbent most at risk is Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile.

Figures qualified Friday to run in the redrawn 2nd District. It is not as favorable to Democrats as the court-drawn map used two years ago.

“After careful deliberation, we decided to run in the district that includes the majority of the counties I currently represent, and that provides the best opportunity to continue representing the people of Alabama,” Figures said.

He said he still believes courts will uphold the map used two years ago.

Rep. Terri Sewell, also a Black Democrat, will run again in the 7th District. Her district remains majority-Black, and majority-Democrat, under the updated map.

U.S. House Districts 3, 4 and 5 are unchanged by redistricting. Incumbent Reps. Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt and Dale Strong will face opponents during the general election.

The special election is scheduled for Aug. 11, 2026, but may be subject to future challenges.

There will not be a runoff. The general election is Nov. 3.

Here are candidates who qualified before the 5 p.m. deadline today.

They still must be certified by their party in order to get on the ballot.

District 1

Democrat

Clyde W. Jones Jr.: A U.S. army veteran and minister.

Republican

Jerry Carl: Politician who previously held the seat 2021-25, before district lines changed.

John Mills: Retired U.S. Navy pilot

Austin Sidwell: Fairhope business owner

Lucas Burger

District 2

Democrat

Shomari Figures: Was elected in 2024 under the court-approved map, which made District 2 favorable to Democrats.

Republican

Hampton Harris: Attorney and business owner who lives in Lowndesboro. Only Republican who qualified in District 2 for the May 19 primary.

Rhett Marques: State representative from Enterprise who ran in District 1 in the May 19 primary, finishing second out of seven candidates. Switching to the redrawn District 2, which now includes his hometown.

Joshua McKee: Ran in District 1 on May 19.

James Richardson: Marine veteran from Headland. Ran in District 1 on May 19.

David Matthews

Christian Horn

District 6

Democrat

Jacob Bouma-Sims: A recent graduate from the University of Montevallo

Keith Pilkington: A registered nurse and U.S. Army veteran.

Ashtyn Kennedy

Maurice Mercer

Republican

Gary Palmer: Incumbent congressman from Hoover, elected in 2016, seeking seventh term. Won the May 19 primary with 81% of the vote.

Case Dixon: Ran second to Palmer in the May 19 primary, receiving 19% of the vote.

District 7

Democrat

Terri Sewell: Incumbent congresswoman, elected in 2010. Seeking ninth term.

Republican

Ammie Akin

David W. Perry