These are the Democrats and Republicans running in Alabama’s 4 special primary elections

Alabama is gearing up for a new chapter in its electoral cycle. Despite the state having just concluded a round of primaries, a special primary election is now on the horizon for four congressional districts. With political stakes high, a flurry of candidates is entering the fray.

The Congressional Landscape

The current legislative goal for Alabama Republicans is to secure maps that ensure at least six of the state’s seven seats in the U.S. House of Representatives align with their party. While the GOP currently holds five seats, they have been legally barred from drawing maps to achieve their preferred targets until 2030, though legal efforts to challenge that restriction remain ongoing.

Districts 1, 2, 6, and 7 are set to appear on the ballot. While Republicans are pushing for contested races in all four, Democrats are fielding a contested race only in District 6, with single candidates identified in the remaining three districts.

Incumbents and Challenges

Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, is facing a significant challenge as he navigates the redrawn 2nd District. Because this map is considered less favorable to Democrats than the version used two years ago, Figures faces an uphill battle. "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 stated. He maintains that the courts will eventually uphold the previously utilized map.

Elsewhere, Rep. Terri Sewell continues her bid for a ninth term in the 7th District, which remains majority-Black and majority-Democrat. Meanwhile, Reps. Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt, and Dale Strong remain in districts 3, 4, and 5, which are unchanged by the redistricting process.

Important Election Details

The upcoming special primary is currently slated for August 11, 2026, though this date remains subject to potential future legal challenges. There will be no runoff for these races, moving directly to the general election on November 3.

The candidates listed below qualified before the recent deadline and are awaiting final party certification to secure their spot on the ballot:

District 1 Candidates

The field includes Clyde W. Jones Jr. (U.S. Army veteran and minister), Jerry Carl (former representative from 2021-25), John Mills, Austin Sidwell, and Lucas Burger.

District 2 Candidates

Candidates include Shomari Figures, Hampton Harris, Rhett Marques, Joshua McKee, James Richardson, David Matthews, Christian Horn, and Jacob Bouma-Sims.

District 6 Candidates

The race features Keith Pilkington, Ashtyn Kennedy, Maurice Mercer, Gary Palmer, and Case Dixon.

District 7 Candidates

The field consists of Terri Sewell, Ammie Akin, and David W. Perry.