Matthews: District 2 Deserves Representation Built Around Its Communities

Republican congressional candidate David Matthews is weighing in on the ongoing legal battle over Alabama’s congressional districts, arguing that the State’s previous map never reflected the realities of the communities it grouped together.

In a statement released by his campaign, Matthews said the dispute before the U.S. Supreme Court is about more than district lines. He said it is ultimately about whether communities receive representation that understands their unique needs and concerns.

“The decision in this case will affect real people, real communities, and the quality of representation Alabama families receive in Washington,” Matthews said. “Courts can rule on district lines, but communities have to live under them. Anyone who knows the basics about Alabama understands that Mobile and the Wiregrass should not have been tied together in a district. The city of Mobile and Dothan are both Alabama, but they are not remotely the same community. They have different economies, different cultures, and different needs. Their Congressional representation should reflect that simple reality.”

Matthews, an Ozark native and candidate for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, said communities across the Wiregrass and River Region deserve representation focused on their local priorities.

“This is not a criticism of Mobile or Baldwin County. They are critical parts of Alabama with their own people, priorities, and challenges,” Matthews said. “But Dothan, Enterprise, Montgomery, Tuskegee, Eufaula, Wetumpka, Millbrook, and the rest of Alabama’s Second District deserve a voice focused on their communities too. Districts are supposed to connect places with common concerns. The previous map certainly failed that test.”

The comments come as Alabama remains embroiled in litigation over congressional redistricting. Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Alabama to move toward using its 2023 legislatively approved congressional map while lower courts reconsider the case. Governor Kay Ivey subsequently called a special congressional primary election for Aug. 11 in the affected districts. However, additional court challenges have continued, creating uncertainty about which map ultimately will be used in the 2026 election cycle.

Matthews said congressional districts should be designed around the people who live in them rather than legal or political considerations.

“A congressional district should connect citizens with a representative who can serve them,” Matthews said. “It should not be a collection of communities forced together because the lines are more convenient for outside legal groups, political operatives, or national interests. A district should make sense to the people who live in it.”

While the litigation continues, Matthews said his campaign is proceeding under the assumption that the Aug. 11 special primary will take place.

“We respect the judicial process, and we are watching the case closely,” Matthews said. “We hope the Supreme Court makes the right decision for Alabama. But voters should not have to follow constant litigation just to know where they stand. District lines should bring communities closer to their representative, not the other way around.”

Matthews pointed to his background in agriculture, rural development, federal policy and finance as preparation for serving the district. A two-time presidential appointee during the Trump administration, he previously worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and Rural Development programs, focusing on issues affecting rural communities.

He said the district needs a representative who can translate local concerns into action in Washington.

“District 2 does not need another politician who gives speeches and lectures people about legislation,” Matthews said. “It needs a conservative fighter who knows how to make government work for the people it is supposed to serve. When Washington gets in the way, I know how to push back. When federal agencies need to answer, I know how to get their attention. That is the kind of representation District 2 deserves.”

Matthews encouraged voters to remain engaged as court proceedings continue and election officials work through the redistricting process.

“Nobody in District 2 should look at this moment and think, ‘it is what it is,’” Matthews said. “District lines decide whether communities are seen, heard, and served by someone who understands them. We need our district back because the people who live here deserve representation built around their lives, not a political arrangement forced on them from a distance. This is too important for anyone to shrug and say, ‘that’s just politics.’ It is not just politics. It is our home, our voice, and our representation.”