Alabama's Republican and Democrat primary elections are set for March 5, and the deadline to file 2023 end-of-year finance reports came at midnight early Thursday morning.
The most competitive campaigns to watch this cycle are the first, second and sixth congressional district races.
In the first congressional district, on the Republican side, you have U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) facing off against U.S. Rep Barry Moore (R-Enterprise). This race pits two sitting members of Congress against each other due to the federal courts drastically redrawing the lines. This is considered a safe Republican seat by many political insiders; therefore, whoever wins the Republican nomination will most likely be the next congressman.
As previously reported, Carl raised $548,981 last quarter. His campaign spent $271,927, leaving Carl with $1,143,721 cash on hand to start the year.
Moore raised $173,189, spending $126,935, starting the year with $693,529 in his campaign.
The second congressional district was also drastically changed due to the federal courts. This race has drawn the most candidates on both the Republican and Democrat sides.
In the race for the Republicans are former State Sen. Dick Brewbaker, Caroleene Dobson, State Sen. Greg Allbritton (R-Atmore), Karla DuPriest, Hampton Harris, Stacy Shepperson, and Belinda Thomas.
Albritton raised the most of any Republican in this race last quarter at $76,085 and loaned his campaign $50,000. Albritton was also the most frugal of the leading candidates with his campaign funds, spending only $6,796, which left his campaign with $119,289.
Brewbaker, considered the frontrunner, raised $41,726 and loaned his campaign $300,000. He has put that money to work by spending $131,523. His cash on hand is $210,202.
Dobson, an attorney from Montgomery and political newcomer, has made waves in this race so far. She raised $61,335 and loaned her campaign $255,000. Dobson has not gone overboard with her spending, but her digital ads have been prominent online in the district. She spent $42,887 and had cash on hand of $268,447.
Hampton Harris, another newcomer to the political circuit, is an attorney and real estate broker. His campaign raised $5,455, and he also loaned money to his campaign with $48,603. He spent $3,583, leaving him with $51,557 cash on hand.
The other remaining Republicans did not file a 2023 end-of-year report.
After the federal courts redrew the second district, Democrats have been energized to take this seat, and the fundraising proved it.
House Minority Leader Rep. Anthoney Daniels (D-Huntsville) hit a home run with fundraising after announcing his campaign, and he is also the favorite to win the Democrat nomination, according to political insiders. He reported raising $217,223, spending $50,557 and leaving his campaign with $166,665 cash on hand.
Shomari Figures, son of State Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile) and the late former State Sen. Michael Figures, also had a successful fundraising quarter with $177,957 in contributions. He also loaned his campaign $25,000 and only spent $25,217, putting him as a serious contender for the race with $149,182 cash on hand.
State Sen. Merika Coleman (D-Pleasant Grove) raised a respectable $62,319 and loaned her campaign an additional $50,000. She spent $67,954, more than another Democrat reported in the race so far. Her campaign ended the quarter with $40,885 cash on hand.
Also among the perceived contenders is State Rep. Napoleon Bracy (D-Chickasaw), who is viewed as someone who could be a threat for the Democrat nomination. However, fundraising last quarter did not live up to expectations. Bracy raised $44,832, loaned his campaign $20,000, and spent $25,217, leaving him with $39,615 cash on hand to finish out the quarter.
State Rep. Jeremy Gray (D-Opelika) had a successful quarter with $104,334 raised. His campaign spent $42,334, and he had $61,999 heading into the new year.
State Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham) trailed her opponents with $7,038 raised and loaning her campaign $13,000. However, she only spent $601, leaving her with $19,436 in her campaign at the end of the quarter.
In an election many would not have considered competitive just a few months ago, businessman Gerrick Wilkins has shown fundraising prowess. He has challenged U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) for his seat. While Palmer retains a significant financial advantage, Wilkins has been able to raise an eye-opening amount of contributions and a few key endorsements.
Palmer raised $165,717 in the last quarter while spending $146,740. He had remaining cash on hand of $991,413 to start the new year, and many expect he will start spending that money to ensure he keeps his seat in Congress.
Wilkins had a successful quarter by raising $119,417 and loaning himself $44,000. He spent $132,102 last quarter, leaving him with only $28,015 to start the new year. Wilkins will need to replicate his fundraising as we move closer to the primary or risk being blown away by Palmer's campaign war chest.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email Bradley.cox@1819news.com.
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