In Alabama congressional races, incumbents hold fundraising advantages

Incumbents in Alabama’s congressional races outraised challengers over the summer, according to federal campaign finance reports filed last week. 

Officeholders in six of Alabama’s seven U.S. House districts, whether Democratic or Republican, took in more money than challengers. In the state’s two open congressional races, Republicans outraised their Democratic opponents. 

Republicans mostly led the field, but U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, seeking re-election in the redrawn 2nd Congressional District in southeast Alabama, raised $1 million in campaign donations, the most of any candidate running for Congress, through the end of September. The 2nd Congressional District is considered the most competitive in the state; state Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, the Republican nominee, is considered the frontrunner. 

The reports cover fundraising from July 1 to Sept. 30. 

U.S. Senate

Republican U.S. Senate nominee Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, significantly outraised his Democratic opponent Everett Wess. Moore raised $685,600 to Wess’ $36,300.

Messages seeking comment were left with Moore and Wess Friday.

Moore also spent $466,800 to Wess’ $43,400. Wess did not receive money from political action commitees (PACs) while Moore received $151,000 from PACs. Moore leads in cash on hand with $218,900 to Wess’ $11,300.

Alabama 1st Congressional District

In the state’s only open seat, former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile, the Republican nominee, significantly outpaced Democratic nominee Clyde Jones in fundraising. Carl raised $277,500 while Jones raised $97,500.

Jones said in a statement Saturday morning he wasn’t surprised by the fundraising gap.

“Money is important in a campaign, but our team consists of over 100 volunteers who are knocking doors and registering voters,” Jones said. “We’ve attended hundreds of community events and not seen Jerry Carl at one of them since he won the primary. I may not have out-raised him, but I’m confident we can out-work him.”

A message seeking comment was left with Carl on Friday.

Both candidates took donations from PACs. Carl received $216,500 and Clyde received $7,000. The gap in spending was slightly smaller, with Carl spending $299,000 to Jones’ $105,200. Carl also maintains the edge in cash on hand with $345,200 while Jones has $20,400.

Alabama 2nd Congressional District

In Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, Congressman Shomari Figures, D-Mobile, was the only candidate to raise $1 million, according to campaign finance reports. Figures’ opponent, Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise, raised $316,800. 

Messages seeking comment were left with Figures and Marques Friday.

Figures also outspent Marques through the end of September, spending $338,100 to Marques’ $176,900. 

Both candidates received PAC donations. Figures received $268,500 from PACs while Marques received $106,000 from PACs. 

Figures has $1.4 million on hand, while Marques has $327,600.

Alabama 3rd Congressional District

Republican nominee and incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Saks, raised $318,300 and spent $245,000 over the summer. According to campaign finance reports, he received $97,000.00 from PACs. He has $2.7 million left on hand.

A message seeking comment was left with Rogers Friday.

Campaign finance reports for the third quarter for Lee McInnis, the Democratic nominee for the 3rd Congressional District, were not present on the FEC website as of Saturday morning. 

Alabama 4th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, raised $207,600 between July 1 and September 30. Amanda Pusczek, Democratic candidate for Alabama’s 4th Congressional District, did not submit campaign finance reports.

A message seeking comment was left with Aderholt Friday.

Aderholt received $35,700 from PACs and spent $179,200. He has $778,000 left on hand.

Third-quarter campaign finance reports for Amanda Pusczek, the Democratic nominee for the district, were not present on the FEC website as of Saturday morning. 

Alabama 5th Congressional District

Fundraising between the candidates in Alabama’s 5th Congressional District was closer than other races. Republican nominee and incumbent U.S. Rep. Dale Strong, R-Madison, raised $236,500. Democratic nominee Andrew Sneed raised $214,400. Strong retains the edge for cash on hand with $1.2 million to Sneed’s $220,900.

“As I’ve said from the very start, the people are tired of the politics of division and career politicians whose priorities are out of touch with the people of north Alabama,” Sneed said in a statement Friday. “They want a representative that will actually fight to get these costs down, will hear every voice, and has a plan to fix what’s deeply broken in Washington; and I do.”

A message seeking comment was left with Strong Friday.

Sneed outraised Strong in the July quarterly report with $162,000 to Strong’s $125,600. 

Strong spent  $449,072.53 to Sneed’s $163,100. Both candidates received PAC money with Strong getting $90,100 from PACs while Sneed received $4,500.

Alabama 6th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, raised $84,600 in the third quarter. Palmer received $53,000 from PACs and spent $241,300. He has $104,000 on hand.

A message seeking comment was left with Palmer Friday.

Third-quarter campaign finance reports for Maurice Mercer, the Democratic nominee for the seat, were not present on the FEC website as of Saturday morning. 

Alabama 7th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, raised $245,200 to Republican nominee Ammie Akin’s $112,200. Sewell also spent $504,000 to Akin’s $176,000.

Messages seeking comment were left with Akin and Sewell Friday.

Both candidates received PAC donations. Sewell received $206,000 from PACs and Akin received $5,000. Sewell maintains the lead with cash on hand with $3.5 million to Akin’s $52,000.

The election is on Nov. 3.