Shomari Figures

Alabama State Rep. Rhett Marques is widening his financial lead in the race for a deeply conservative U.S. House seat covering coastal Alabama and the Wiregrass.

Marques, a Republican from Enterprise, pulled in $381,416 from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, bringing his campaign war chest to $875,879. That follows a strong third quarter in which he raised more than $320,000.

“Christina and I continue to be grateful for the incredible outpouring of support for our campaign,” Marques said Monday. “Voters from the Coast to the Wiregrass are making it clear they want a strong conservative who fights for them, not DC.”

His early endorsement from U.S. Sen. Katie Britt continues to boost his bid.

Britt has contributed $16,000 total, including a $10,000 August donation from her Alabama First Leadership PAC and $6,000 more from Britt for Alabama Inc. on New Year’s Eve.

According to FEC filings, that final amount includes $2,000 for the May 19 GOP primary, $2,000 for a potential June 16 runoff, and $2,000 for the Nov. 3 general election.

Former congressman

Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl sits in second place, raising $288,350 in the fourth quarter and ending the year with $307,981 cash on hand. His campaign called the haul a “powerful show of support” from grassroots backers across the 1st District.

“This level of support doesn’t happen by accident,” Carl said Sunday. “It comes from showing up, fighting for our district, and delivering results. I am incredibly thankful to the many supporters across the district who stepped up and made this possible.”

Carl is attempting a return to Congress after losing to U.S. Rep. Barry Moore in the March 5, 2024, GOP primary — an unusual incumbent‑vs‑incumbent matchup triggered by court‑ordered redistricting.

Moore’s former district was redrawn into a majority-minority seat now represented by Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures.

The 1st congressional district was redrawn to include a portion of Mobile County, all of Baldwin County and the rural counties that consist of the Wiregrass region.

The district leans solidly Republican, with Cook Political Report giving it a +27 point favorability rating for the GOP in its Partisan Voter Index.

Moore is not seeking House re‑election and is considered a GOP frontrunner in the U.S. Senate race to replace Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor.

Other candidates

Retired U.S. Army Special Forces member Joshua McKee placed third in fundraising. He brought in $158,866 from October through December and ended the year with $265,355 cash on hand.

McKee also loaned his campaign $134,392 in the fourth quarter. His campaign reported raising $293,258, but the figure comes from a combination of contributions and loans.

“I am incredibly humbled by the outpouring of support from across the district,” McKee said. The former Green Beret added that the numbers reflect “major grassroots support from Alabamians who believe it’s time for a combat veteran who understands sacrifice to have a seat at the table.”

Air Force veteran Austin Sidwell raised $23,848, spent $45,359. He loaned his campaign $51,000, and finished with $24,239 cash on hand.

Retired Marine James Richardson of Headland did not have any FEC filings posted and could not be reached. No information was available for John Mills.

Fairhope police detective James “Jimmy” Dees also reported no fundraising.

A campaign representative said Dees “has committed to not take funds from PACs or other donors. He has stated that he wants to serve the people of Alabama without the influence that donations sometimes bring.”

On the Democratic side, only one candidate has filed: Clyde Jones Jr., a retired U.S. Army veteran and associate minister at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Daphne. He raised $12,665 in the fourth quarter and has $11,684 cash on hand.