Three Alabama State Lawmakers Join Race for Newly Redrawn Democratic-Leaning Congressional District

Alabama state Reps. Napoleon Bracy Jr. and Jeremy Gray, along with state Sen. Kirk Hatcher, vie for Democratic nomination in recently redrawn 2nd Congressional District where Black voters make up 48.7% of the voting population, signifying potential shift in political dynamics.

Three Alabama state lawmakers - state Reps. Napoleon Bracy Jr. and Jeremy Gray, and state Sen. Kirk Hatcher - have announced their bids to represent Alabama's newly-drawn 2nd Congressional District. The district is likely to lean Democratic due to a significant African American voting population.
The 2nd Congressional District, which was redrawn this year, stretches across south Alabama from Mississippi to Georgia, encompassing parts of Mobile and Montgomery as well as rural areas. A federal court ruled the previous map violated the Voting Rights Act, leading to the creation of this new district where Black voters make up 48.7% of the voting population.
State Rep. Napoleon Bracy Jr., who has served in the state's legislature for 13 years, emphasized the importance of Congressional representatives understanding and addressing the needs of their constituents, focusing on health care, economics, and workforce development.
State Sen. Kirk Hatcher, the first Black mayor of Montgomery, noted the significance of the seat being anchored in Montgomery. He highlighted economic issues, particularly the challenges faced by single-parent households in affording quality food.
State Rep. Jeremy Gray, founder of a community resource nonprofit and advocate for access to yoga in public schools, announced his entry into the race with a focus on protecting natural resources and improving access to healthcare, including maternal healthcare.