Coleman taking steps to run in 2nd Congressional District, according to federal filings

Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, appears to be taking steps to run for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District seat, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. 

According to the filings, Coleman completed a statement of candidacy on Oct. 18 for the seat. The senator also authorized her Principal Campaign Committee to be named “Mericka Coleman for Congress”

Many pundits and experts have speculated about the viable candidates that could run for the District 2 seat following the recent changes to Alabama’s congressional map. Coleman has not officially announced if she is running for the seat but she would would be one of the more established candidates if she does announce.  

Earlier this month a three-judge federal court approved a remedial map plan that will make the 2nd Congressional District close to a Black voting majority. This new map to be implemented in 2024 now has District 2 encompassing the southern portion of the Black Belt and now reaches into Mobile County. Previously in the 2021 congressional map, the district started in Autauga County and stretched down into the southeastern counties of the state. 

The Black Voting Age Population in the 2024 2nd Congressional District is now 48.7 percent. 

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, currently holds the seat after winning election in 2021. It is anticipated though that a Democratic candidate is likely to be at an advantage because of the new configuration of the 2nd congressional district. It is unclear whether Moore will seek re-election in District 2 or potentially campaign against fellow Republican congressman Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile, in the 1st congressional district.

Besides Coleman there are several other prominent Democratic candidates speculated to be running for the seat. Those include House Minority Leader Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Montgomery, Sen. Linda Coleman Davis, D-Birmingham, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, and Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham. 

More candidates, both Republican and Democrat, are likely to emerge in the race soon as the deadline to qualify is approaching on Nov. 10 at 5 p.m.

Currently, only Democratic candidates have filed to run in the 2nd Congressional District.