Matthews Says GOP Needs Strong Nominee in AL-2

Republican congressional candidate David Matthews is urging GOP voters in Alabama's Second Congressional District to nominate what he calls a battle-tested conservative ahead of the Aug. 11 primary, arguing the party cannot afford to put forward a "soft" candidate against Democratic incumbent Shomari Figures in November.

In a campaign statement released Wednesday, Matthews said the Republican nomination will determine who is best equipped to challenge Figures, who was elected to Congress in 2024 and has since focused much of his legislative work on rural development, transportation and agriculture.

"We can't sleepwalk into August 11th with a soft candidate," Matthews said, contending that Republican voters face a clear choice over which candidate is prepared to take on Figures in the general election.

Matthews highlighted his service in two Trump administrations, contrasting it with Figures' previous work in two Obama administrations. He said he is the only Republican in the race with firsthand experience advancing President Donald Trump's America First agenda from inside the federal government.

With turnout projections for the Republican primary estimated at fewer than 30,000 voters, Matthews said his campaign has focused heavily on direct voter contact throughout the district. According to the campaign, he has spent months meeting with Mayors, farmers, Veterans, faith leaders, small business owners and residents across southeast Alabama and the Wiregrass.

The campaign also points to Matthews' unconventional outreach efforts, including posting restaurant reviews highlighting locally owned businesses while introducing himself to voters online. Matthews has continued attending town halls, Republican forums and community events across the district.

Matthews also renewed criticism of fellow Republican candidate and State Rep. Rhett Marques (R-Enterprise) over his legislative voting record.

At a recent Republican Women of Coffee County candidate forum, Matthews questioned Marques about votes Matthews' campaign says supported state and local tax increases. During the exchange, Marques responded, "These people don't understand how local bills work [the attendees]" and said he had never voted to raise taxes on Coffee County residents.

Matthews' campaign disputes that claim, citing votes by Marquis it says supported a 10-cent-per-gallon gasoline and diesel tax as well as additional lodging taxes. Video of the exchange was released by the Matthews campaign.

Editor’s note: according to information published by Alabama Daily News, Marquis voted in favor of the 2019 gas tax bill.

"For too long, politicians have expected voters to simply take their word for it," Matthews said. "The people of Alabama deserve representatives who are willing to answer tough questions and be completely transparent about their record."

Matthews also pointed to his work at the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the Trump administration, where he said he worked on Rural Development initiatives aimed at reducing bureaucracy and expanding investment in rural communities. He said those efforts helped facilitate more than $34 billion in rural investments during his tenure. USDA Rural Development remains the federal agency responsible for housing, infrastructure, business and community investment programs serving rural America.

"Anyone can campaign on supporting rural America," Matthews said. "I've actually done the work. I've spent years fighting for our farmers, our small towns, and our rural communities while advancing President Trump's America First agenda. I'm ready to take that same experience to Congress on day one."

Matthews said Republican voters should view the Aug. 11 primary as more than a contest for the party's nomination, arguing it will determine which candidate is best positioned to challenge Figures and return Alabama's Second Congressional District to conservative hands.

For more information, visit https://davidmatthewsforcongress.com.