Scalise, Booker Join Alabama’s 2nd District Fight
Scalise campaigns for Rhett Marques as Cory Booker prepares to join Shomari Figures for rallies in Dothan and Montgomery
TL;DR: National leaders are stepping into Alabama’s 2nd District race ahead of Nov. 3. Steve Scalise campaigned for Rhett Marques Monday, while Cory Booker will rally voters for Shomari Figures Thursday.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) campaigned in Dothan Monday for Republican Rhett Marques, while U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) is set to visit Thursday for Democratic Representative Shomari Figures. The visits put national attention on an Alabama race with stakes for control of the U.S. House.
Marques, a State representative from Enterprise, is trying to unseat Figures, who is seeking a second term. Both parties are bringing prominent allies into the redrawn 2nd Congressional District with two weeks left before the Nov. 3 election.
Scalise’s visit centered on public safety. According to WDHN, the Louisiana Republican’s schedule included a discussion with Wiregrass sheriffs, police chiefs and local officials about violent crime, illegal drugs and public safety. The event was held at Five Star Credit Union on Montgomery Highway.
“I will always strongly support our law enforcement and hold violent criminals accountable,” Marques said. He also criticized Figures’ record and past work in the Biden administration.
During Monday’s stop, Scalise described the district as one of about 35 swing seats nationwide. He urged Republicans to vote, warning that the outcome could help determine which party runs the House, WTVY reported.
Democrats will bring in their own reinforcements Thursday, Oct. 22.
Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, will join Figures for a 12:30 PM rally at The Forum, 231 W. Main St. in Dothan. Democratic nominee for Governor Doug Jones and former Montana Sen. Jon Tester are also scheduled to attend that event, according to AL.com.
Booker and Figures will then head to Montgomery for a second rally at 4:00 PM at Legacy Hall, 608 N. Court St. The Figures campaign said the events aim to energize supporters and get them to the polls. This will be Booker’s third Alabama visit since May.
The competing visits reflect how sharply the race has changed since lawmakers redrew the district. Political analyst Steve Flowers told WTVY the contest is now too close to call.
“For the first time in a long time, the Wiregrass is ground zero for congressional campaigns in the country,” Flowers said.
