Alabama voters in the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th Congressional Districts picked their nominees Tuesday in a special primary made necessary by a three-year redistricting fight, with no runoffs and every race decided outright.
Turnout was light statewide, about 4.5%, according to the Associated Press, but the results set the fall matchups in four districts that carry heavy freight for Alabama’s trucking industry, from the Port of Mobile up through Birmingham.
District 1:
Carl returns to the ballot
Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl won the Republican nomination with 75% of the vote, easily outdistancing Austin Sidwell (18%), John Mills (6%) and Lucas Burger (2%). Carl, who represented the seat from 2020 to 2024 and picked up an endorsement from President Trump, will face Democrat Clyde Jones, who ran unopposed, in November.
District 2:
Marques wins crowded GOP field
State Rep. Rhett Marques took the Republican nomination with 50% of the vote in a six-candidate field, well ahead of Hampton Harris (22%), David Matthews (17%), Joshua McKee (5%), James Richardson (3%) and Christian Horn (3%). Marques, who picked up a Trump endorsement along the way, advances to face Rep. Shomari Figures, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Both parties expect District 2 to be the most competitive general election of the four this fall.
District 6:
Palmer cruises, Mercer wins Democratic side
Six-term Rep. Gary Palmer turned back first-time challenger Case Dixon 86% to 14% to secure the Republican nomination. On the Democratic side, Maurice Mercer won a four-way race with 67% of the vote, beating Ashtyn Kennedy (21%), Jacob Bouma-Sims (6%) and Keith Pilkington (5%). Palmer remains the heavy favorite in November.
District 7:
Akin wins GOP nomination, Sewell unopposed
Ammie Akin won the Republican nomination with 73% of the vote over David Perry (27%). She’ll face Rep. Terri Sewell, who ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination and is seeking a ninth term in Alabama’s only democratic leaning district following the newly adopted redistricting map.
What’s next
All four races now head to the Nov. 3 general election under the new congressional map, which takes effect in January 2027. Alabama’s current House delegation stays in place through the end of this year.
Alabama Trucking will be watching all four races closely between now and November. The winners will help shape the next highway bill, FMCSA’s budget and how seriously Washington takes the industry’s priorities.
