Matthews says that this special primary is about, "who is best positioned to compete in November"

July 22, 2026 - OZARK, Ala. - Republican Congressional candidate for Alabama's Second Congressional District, David Matthews, said that Republicans cannot afford to "sleepwalk" into the August 11th primary.

Matthews warned that the GOP needs to elect the nominee "who is best positioned to compete in November" against incumbent Congressman Shomari Figures (D-02).

Matthews warned of danger of nominating what he describes as a "soft" candidate who would struggle against Figures in the general election.

Matthews claimed that his own experience serving in two Trump administrations contrasts with Figures' service in two Obama administrations. He added that he is the only Republican in the race with firsthand experience advancing President Donald J. Trump's America First agenda from inside the federal government.

State Representative Rhett Marques (R-Enterprise) is widely viewed as the frontrunner in this GOP primary race.

At a recent Republican Women of Coffee County forum, Matthews challenged candidate Rhett Marques over votes in the Alabama State House that Matthews says supported multiple state and local tax increases. Matthews pressed Marques to explain his record, arguing that Republican primary voters deserve full transparency from anyone seeking to represent them in Congress.

Marques first said, "These people don't understand how local bills work [the attendees]" and that he had never voted to raise taxes on Coffee County residents. Matthews' campaign disputes Marques' claim, citing votes it says supported a 10-cent-per-gallon gasoline and diesel tax as well as additional lodging taxes.

"For too long, politicians have expected voters to simply take their word for it," Matthews said. "The people of Alabama deserve representatives who are willing to answer tough questions and be completely transparent about their record."

Matthews served in the Trump administration at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he worked on Rural Development initiatives focused on reducing bureaucratic barriers and helping deliver federal investments to rural America. Matthews says that during his second-term tenure, he helped facilitate more than $34 billion in investments benefiting rural communities across the country.

"Anyone can campaign on supporting rural America," Matthews said. "I've actually done the work. I've spent years fighting for our farmers, our small towns, and our rural communities while advancing President Trump's America First agenda. I'm ready to take that same experience to Congress on day one."

Matthews says the August 11 Republican primary will determine not only the Republican nominee, but also who is best positioned to compete in November and deliver conservative victories for Alabama's Second Congressional District.

The August 11 Republican primary candidates include: Mathews, Marques, Chris Horn, Hampton Harris, James Richardson, and Joshua McKee.

Some political observers estimate that ng turnout could be fewer than 30,000 voters in the Republican primary. Outspoke Democratic Party Vice Chair Tabitha Isner has called on Democrats to vote in the Republican special primary to weaken the GOP candidates. Isner has been denounced by both Democratic and Republican Party leaders.

Matthews has spent the campaign traveling across Alabama's Second Congressional District, meeting directly with voters in their communities. His schedule has included meetings with mayors, small business owners, farmers, veterans, faith leaders, and residents throughout the district. Matthews has embraced an unconventional grassroots strategy. Alongside a steady schedule of town halls, Republican forums, and community meetings.

Congressional District 2 has new districts drawn by the Alabama Legislature, replacing the racially gerrymandered districts drawn by an activist federal court.

The special Republican primary is on August 11.

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