Tax increases may paint a difference among the Republican candidates in Alabama's newly drawn second congressional district.
Second congressional district Republican hopeful Caroleene Dobson hopes to distinguish herself from the field by signing the official "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" designed by Americans for Tax Reform (ATR).
Dobson traveled to Washington, D.C., on Monday and met with Grover Norquist, head of ATR and author of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. Norquist had his photograph taken with Dobson after she signed the pledge.
Dobson is the only candidate in the race who has signed the taxpayer pledge.
Polling indicates three candidates leading the CD2 race: Brewbaker, Albritton and Dobson.
Brewbaker is a retired automobile dealer and former state senator in Montgomery.
Albritton is a current state senator living in Atmore. Although he does not live in the second congressional district, he has lived in it in the past and insists he will return if elected to the U.S. House.
Dobson is a real estate attorney in Montgomery. She has never run for office before and claims to be a candidate running against career politicians.
After signing the taxpayer pledge, Dobson told the ATR leaders, "True conservatives are defined by certain fundamental principles and opposing any new taxes - whether on the local, state, or federal levels - is chief among them. While other candidates in this primary have already supported taxes in the past, I understand that hardworking Alabamians must be allowed to keep the wages they earn, especially with prices for food and other essential goods spiking under Joe Biden and his liberal Democrat cronies."
ATR first unveiled its "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" in 1986 and has asked candidates for public office to commit to and sign the document in each election in the 38 years since.
The pledge reads as follows:
“I, Caroleene Dobson, pledge to the taxpayer of the state of Alabama and to the American people that I will:
ONE, oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and businesses; and
TWO, oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reductions reducing tax rates.
Signed Caroleene Dobson - February 5, 2024”
Dobson said that beyond her conservative beliefs, her firsthand experience growing up on a family farm taught her the importance of keeping taxes low.
“Family farms throughout the Second Congressional District often walk a financial tightrope, and the tax rates they pay can often determine whether they will make a profit, break even, or suffer a loss for the year. While other candidates may vote for raising taxes without a second thought, I will fight like heck against any new taxes that may be proposed while I am serving in the U.S. Congress.”
On March 5, there will be both a Republican and Democratic primary. Given the crowded field in both party primaries, there will likely be a runoff for both primaries on April 16, and the two winners of the runoffs will face off in the November 5 general election.
The counties in the new second congressional district are Washington, southern Clarke, Monroe, Conecuh, Butler, Crenshaw, Pike, Montgomery, Bullock, Macon, Russell, Barbour and parts of Mobile: most of the city of Mobile, most black precincts, and most of north Mobile County.
The district runs from the Mississippi line adjacent to Mobile and Washington Counties to the Georgia line adjacent to Barbour and Russell Counties.
Jim Zeigler is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com
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