The map a federal court picked for the 2024 congressional elections in Alabama was the "most Democratic" of the three options, according to the Alabama Republican Party.
A spokesperson for the Alabama Republican Party said in a statement after the map was announced on Thursday, "While we continue to have the utmost respect for the legal process, we are disappointed with the decision the District Court has reached."
"Of the three maps, the Court chose the map that is the most Democratic – not the map with the highest minority voting age population. We are hopeful Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall will continue with the appeal process. We believe Alabama's Congressional Districts should represent the communities of our state, and not be based on the liberal Democrat agenda or the color of people's skin," the spokesperson added.
The plan has a black voting age population of 48.7% in Congressional District 2 and 51.9% in Congressional District 7. A performance analysis by the court-appointed special master said that Democrats won 16 of the 17 previous elections in Congressional District 2 and 17 of 17 previous elections in Congressional District 7. State Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) told 1819 News last week he was considering challenging the incumbent U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham in Congressional District 7.
Some pundits have said District 2 and 7 are locks to be Democratic strongholds in the 2024 election, while others wonder if Democrats have the party infrastructure in place to win District 2 despite favorable demographics on paper.
The new map sets up a possible primary between U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile) and U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise). Carl is the incumbent in Congressional District 1. Moore is the incumbent in Congressional District 2 but now resides in District 1 under the new map.
"Since launching my reelection campaign in the First District, I've been meeting with voters in south Alabama and the Wiregrass about our shared conservative values. I'm excited to see the enthusiasm for my candidacy throughout all parts of the District. This country has some serious issues to tackle, including securing the border, cutting wasteful government spending, and holding the Biden admin accountable, and I look forward to continue tackling those problems head on," Carl told 1819 News on Wednesday.
Moore told 1819 News, "Running for office is always a serious decision to make and I'm approaching this prayerfully, seeking God's will."
"Above all else, I want to be obedient," he added.
Adam Kincaid, executive director of National Republican Redistricting Trust, told 1819 News, "The district court's imposition of a crossover district as a Section 2 remedy is a violation of the Supreme Court's precedent in Bartlett v. Strickland."
"Alabamians will now be forced to vote under a constitutionally dubious map in 2024, before the Supreme Court has an opportunity to review this decision," Kincaid added.
Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen said on Twitter on Thursday, "The Office of the Secretary of State will facilitate the 2024 election cycle in accordance with the map the federal court has forced upon Alabama and ordered us to use."
"It is important for all Alabamians to know that the legal portion of this process has not yet been completed," Allen continued. "A full hearing on the redistricting issue will take place in the future and I trust Attorney General Marshall to represent Alabama through that process. In the meantime, I will keep our state's elections safe, secure and transparent because that is what I was elected to do."
To connect with the story's author or comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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