The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama will be held on November 8, 2022, to elect the seven U.S. Representatives from the state of Alabama, one from each of the state's seven congressional districts. The elections will coincide with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the United States Senate and various state and local elections.
Following redistricting as a result of the 2020 United States census, the Republican-controlled Alabama Legislature adopted a new congressional map in the autumn of 2021. The map drew one of Alabama's seven congressional districts with an African-American majority population; a single African-American majority congressional district has been the case for over 30 years. Three federal judges denied this map on January 24, 2022, stating that Alabama, which has an African-American population of 27% as of 2022, needed two congressional districts that were likely to elect African-American representatives, in accordance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. John Wahl, the chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, said he expected the court's decision to be appealed.[1] The office of the Attorney General of Alabama began the process of an appeal on January 25, 2022.[2] The qualifying deadline for congressional candidates was also extended from January 28 to February 11.[3]
The New York Times predicted that the appeal would go to the U.S. Supreme Court to address the practice of racial gerrymandering in the United States. If a second African-American majority district was upheld and passed, it would have been a significant pick-up for Democrats in Alabama.[1] In response to the federal ruling, Representative Jerry Carl stated during a radio interview that his campaign was considering alternative strategies in the event that he was forced to run against fellow Representative Barry Moore.[4] Chairman Wahl stated on January 28 that the Republican Party would plan to win all seven congressional seats if a new map created two competitive seats with slight African-American majorities, rather than one district guaranteed for a Democratic victory.[5]
Ultimately, the case went to the Supreme Court, which ruled in a 5-4 decision on February 7, 2022, that Alabama's request for a stay would be granted, halting the three-judge panel's decision, upholding the state's original map and signifying a victory for Republicans in Alabama.[6] Justice Brett Kavanaugh, joined by Samuel Alito, wrote a majority opinion, with Elena Kagan authoring a dissent.[7][8]
The decision created some confusion over whether the extension for the filing deadline had been overturned as well; Secretary of State John Merrill clarified that the deadline would be left up to the parties.[9] While the Democratic Party confirmed that it would keep its deadline as February 11,[10] the Republican deadline was left unclear. This led to disputes over the eligibility for candidates to qualify for Republican primaries, specifically Jeff Coleman in district 2, and Jamie Aiken in district 6.[9][11] Republican chairman John Wahl stated that the party would commit to state laws and party bylaws regarding the controversy.[12] Following legal action, the U.S. District Court for Northern Alabama ruled against Coleman on February 25, 2022, establishing that it could not force the Alabama Republican Party to list the candidate's name on the ballot.[13]
District 1[]
2022 Alabama's 1st congressional district election
The 1st district encompasses Washington, Mobile, Baldwin, Escambia and Monroe counties. The incumbent is Republican Jerry Carl, who has represented the district since 2021 and was elected with 64.4% of the vote in 2020.[14]
No Democratic candidates qualified to run in this district, leaving Carl unopposed.[15]
The 2nd district encompasses most of the Montgomery metropolitan area, and stretches into the Wiregrass Region in the southeastern portion of the state, including Andalusia, Dothan, Greenville, and Troy. The incumbent is Republican Barry Moore, who was elected with 65.2% of the vote in 2020.[14]
Businessman and 2020 candidate Jeff Coleman attempted to launch a primary challenge against Moore, and even purchased an advertisement campaign including airtime during Super Bowl LVI in local markets. However, a federal panel ruled against his candidacy, as he qualified after the Supreme Court upheld Alabama's original congressional map and qualifying dates.[22]
The 3rd district is based in eastern Alabama, taking in small parts of Montgomery, as well as, Talladega, Tuskegee and Auburn. The incumbent is Republican Mike Rogers, who was re-elected with 67.5% of the vote in 2020.[14]
The 4th district is located in rural north-central Alabama, spanning the Evangelical belt area. The incumbent is Republican Robert Aderholt, who was re-elected with 82.2% of the vote in 2020.[14]
Republican primary[]
Candidates[]
Declared[]
Robert Aderholt, incumbent U.S. Representative[33]
Democratic primary[]
Candidates[]
Declared[]
Rhonda Gore, teacher, former candidate for this seat in 2012[15][31][34]
Rick Neighbors, manufacturing project manager, Democratic nominee for this seat in 2020 and former candidate in 2012 and 2018[15][31]
The 5th district is based in northern Alabama, including the city of Huntsville. The incumbent is Republican Mo Brooks, who was re-elected with 95.8% of the vote in 2020, without major-party opposition.[14] On March 22, 2021, Brooks announced his retirement and intention to run for U.S. Senate.[35]
The 6th district encompasses Greater Birmingham, taking in parts of Birmingham, as well as the surrounding suburbs, including Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Coosa, and Shelby counties. The incumbent is Republican Gary Palmer, who was re-elected with 97.1% of the vote in 2020, without major-party opposition.[14]
No Democratic candidates qualified to run in this district, leaving Palmer unopposed.[15]
The 7th district encompasses the Black Belt, including Selma and Demopolis, as well as taking in majority-black areas of Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Montgomery. The incumbent is Democrat Terri Sewell, who was re-elected with 97.2% of the vote in 2020, without major-party opposition.[14]
Federal government
State government
Birmingham
Mobile
Montgomery
Government
