A conservative PAC is backing State Rep. Rhett Marques as Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District draws increased national GOP attention ahead of the Republican primary.
Defending Our Values PAC has selected Marques as one of the first two candidates supported through a newly announced $15 million election effort focused on artificial intelligence and Big Tech policy, Fox News Digital reported Tuesday.
The group is also backing Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer in Florida’s 25th Congressional District. Both candidates are competing in crowded Republican primaries for seats the organization views as important to maintaining the GOP majority in the U.S. House.
Defending Our Values says it supports Republicans who will challenge the technology industry, protect children and families from online harm and pursue policies intended to keep the United States ahead of China in artificial intelligence. The organization is led by former U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah).
Fox reported that the PAC selected Marques because it believes he would be a strong advocate on those issues in Congress. Its spending is intended to help him through the Republican primary while building his name recognition before the November general election.
The organization has not disclosed how much of its overall $15 million effort will be spent in Alabama.
The outside support comes one day after the National Republican Congressional Committee added AL-02 to its expanded list of Democratic-held seats targeted for the 2026 election.
The NRCC added seven districts Monday, bringing its national offensive target list to 36 seats. Alabama’s 2nd District joined Democratic-held districts in Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee.
“Vulnerable House Democrats are stuck defending a wildly unpopular record and a radical socialist agenda,” NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson said. “The NRCC will take the fight into their districts, hold every one of them accountable, and expand our House majority in November.”
The Republican nominee will face U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures (D-Mobile), who was first elected to represent the redrawn district in 2024.
Marques is one of six Republicans who qualified for the AL-02 special primary, alongside Hampton Harris, Christian Horn, David Matthews, Joshua McKee and James Richardson.
The primary is scheduled for August 11.
Marques has already received endorsements from President Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery). His campaign has emphasized conservative cultural issues, affordability, rural economic development and maintaining American leadership in emerging technologies.
The NRCC’s decision and the PAC investment indicate national Republican organizations increasingly view Alabama’s 2nd District as a potential pickup opportunity and Marques as a candidate capable of advancing to the general election to unseat Democrat incumbent Shomari Figures.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
