As Wisconsin and South Carolina sucked up most of the Tuesday primary night oxygen, it is of note that Alabama had a special election happening as well.
After the United States Supreme Court vacated a lower court ruling that required Alabama to use racially gerrymandered maps, it also decided that Alabama could use maps that the state legislature had approved in 2023, which eliminated one of two majority-minority districts. Since this all occurred after the May 19 Alabama primary, Gov. Kay Ivey (R) called a special primary election for August 11 to select candidates for Congressional Districts 1, 2, 6, and 7.
The special election effectively voids congressional votes cast during the May 19 primary in districts 1, 2, 6 and 7, though votes in statewide, legislative and local races from that election still counted. Under the special election rules, there will be no runoff election. The candidate receiving the most votes in each race will secure the party nomination ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Districts 2 and 6
Instead of sailing into an uncontested congressional race, incumbent Rep. Terri Sewell (D-07) and Rep. Shomari Figures (D-02) find themselves facing Republican challengers with none of the racially-based weighting of their prior maps. In District 2, Trump-endorsed State Rep. Rhett Marques has taken the Republican nomination and will face Figures in November. Sewell will face entrepreneur and philanthropist Ammie Akin.
There's something powerful about a whole community showing up on the same day for the same reason:
— Ammie Akin (@AmmieAkin_AL) August 11, 2026
To build a future where our children can thrive, right here in Alabama.
Today is that day for Alabama's 7th District.
Vote Ammie Akin for Congress today, August 11. pic.twitter.com/wdkvYYcijO
District 1
This redrawn district has been represented by Congressman Barry Moore (R-01), but Moore is now the Republican U.S. Senate candidate running to fill the seat Sen. Tommy Tuberville has vacated in order to run for Alabama governor. With 80 percent of precincts reporting, former District 1 Rep. Jerry Carl has won the Republican nomination, with Air Force veteran Austin Sidwell in second place, and businessman and former Navy pilot John Mills in third.
Carl will face Democrat nominee Clyde Jones in November.
District 6
This redrawn district had three Democrat challengers for the seat. U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-06) has maintained and will face off against one of the Democrats in November.
So, the November ballot for the state has finally been set. In the case of Sewell and Figures, they are now in a place where they must rely on their records, and not their carcass... or their TDS level.
WATCH:
We were promised lower costs. But basic living expenses are higher than ever under Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress.
— Rep. Terri A. Sewell (@RepTerriSewell) August 11, 2026
I’m fighting to hold this president accountable and deliver real relief for Alabama families. pic.twitter.com/ymyLEAOnVp
Compare the screed above with Sewell's Republican challenger.
WATCH:
I'm meeting with people from both sides of the aisle, and the conversations aren't about party lines.
— Ammie Akin (@AmmieAkin_AL) August 11, 2026
They're about children learning to read. Communities finding good jobs. Real life.
That's what people want their leader to care about, not who's on which ticket.
I'd be… pic.twitter.com/iT2Zvoj4Ar
I'm meeting with people from both sides of the aisle, and the conversations aren't about party lines.
They're about children learning to read. Communities finding good jobs. Real life.
That's what people want their leader to care about, not who's on which ticket.
I'd be honored to have your vote today.
I'm popping my popcorn, because District 7 is going to be the race to watch.
Figures has an advantage over Sewell: He has only had one term, so he can still finesse with promises of what he could do if he had more time. However, oddsmakers say that District 2 is favored to flip red.
AL 2 R - State Rep. Rhett Marques is cruising to victory as expected. He'll face Rep. Shomari Figures in the heavily gerrymandered seat which he will likely flip red in November.
— Henry Olsen (@henryolsenEPPC) August 12, 2026
Barring death or a major apocalypse, Alabama's move to reinstitute the 2023 redrawn maps, and their success in doing so, could turn out even better than anyone anticipated.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
Help RedState continue to report on the Democrats’ radicalism and inform voters as our nation faces a crossroads. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member