Republican nominee Rhett Marques, running for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, announced plans Thursday to reduce taxes and regulations for businesses. Speaking at an Enterprise tire store he previously owned, Marques cited his past support for eliminating state taxes on overtime pay and indicated he would pursue similar measures if elected to Congress.
Marques’ announcement followed his endorsement by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Rosemary Elebach, the Alabama state director for the NFIB, affirmed that Marques "was a voice for small business owners" during his tenure in the Legislature.
The campaign for U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, the incumbent and Marques’ opponent, issued a statement Thursday accusing Marques of misleading voters about the congressman’s record to divert attention from his own. The statement from Figures' campaign urged Marques to "quit dodging debates and explain to voters why he’s voted to raise taxes more than 20 times," adding that Figures looks forward to voting and defeating Marques’ agenda in November.
As a state representative over the last eight years, Marques stated his commitment to ensuring "that we have put more money into the hardworking people of this state." He noted that he aims to implement other Alabama business laws at the federal level. Among the specific state measures Marques and Elebach referenced was Senate Bill 221, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, which excluded credit card transaction fees from sales and use taxes. According to its fiscal note, this bill led to a decrease in sales and use tax receipts for the Educational Trust Fund budget, as well as for county and municipal funds. Marques also supported House Bill 217, sponsored by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, which exempted hourly employees from state income taxes on overtime. That exemption, however, expired in 2025 and was not renewed.
The Center for Politics at the University of Virginia recently shifted its rating for the AL-02 election. The race, initially rated as "likely Republican," is now considered "leans Republican" in favor of Figures.
Marques secured the Republican primary for the seat in August, campaigning on an endorsement from President Donald Trump. The current 2nd Congressional District map was redrawn by the Alabama Legislature in May, utilizing a map that the Legislature approved in 2023. Federal courts had previously deemed the 2023 map racially discriminatory against Black voters. However, a U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais in April weakened a section of the Voting Rights Act that had informed the federal court's earlier decision. The court formally overturned its previous decision regarding the Alabama map weeks after the Callais ruling.
Beyond policy, Marques also expressed concerns regarding voter turnout for the upcoming fall election. Republican turnout in the May 19th primary declined compared to 2022 figures. Furthermore, only 5% of eligible voters participated in the August 11th special congressional primaries, which predominantly featured Republican contests. Marques described this low participation as "disappointing for a state that is heavily veteran, who have put their lives on the line for our right to come and vote." He emphasized the importance of civic participation, stating, "It is very important for every member of this state to go vote and give their opinion because it is going to matter, not only for this state but for the direction of our country."
