Deep South Democrats Chase a Comeback as Voters Voice Discontent

Democrats across the Deep South are mounting their most concerted statewide push in years, hoping that voter frustration with rising costs, healthcare access and Republican governance can break a long losing streak.

In southern Alabama, a crowd packed the upstairs of a coffee shop in Dothan to hear Doug Jones, the party's nominee for governor and the last Democrat to hold statewide office in the state. Jones, who is seeking a rematch against Republican U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville after losing to him in 2020, told supporters that dissatisfaction with state government is the driving force behind his campaign.

"People want change," Jones said after spending an hour with attendees. "That is the real key. People are not satisfied with their government of Alabama."

Among those in the crowd was Jeff Scroggins, 61, a government contractor from Slocomb who described himself as the "black sheep of the family" for backing Jones. He said there are more Democrats and "stubborn independents" in Alabama than many assume.

The math, however, remains daunting. Apart from Jones' 2017 special Senate victory, the last Democrat to hold statewide office in Alabama was defeated in 2012, and recent Democratic statewide candidates have topped out around 40% of the vote. Similar patterns hold across much of the region, though Georgia's U.S. Sens. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff offer Democrats a bright spot.

Jones pointed to a surge in Democratic primary turnout, which doubled since 2022, with some counties — including a northern tech hub — recording more Democratic than Republican primary votes. Democrats are fielding candidates in all major state races for the first time in years.

"The numbers are there," Jones said. "It's a question of getting those voters out."

At Troy University, Jones appeared alongside U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, one of Alabama's two Black congressmen. Figures' district was redrawn by Republicans after the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act this year, substantially reducing the share of Black voters. Figures said the intent was to diminish Black representation, but predicted, "we are going to win it in November."

He highlighted the economic strain in his district, noting Alabama's individual median income of $34,000. "Let that sink in — $34,000 before taxes, before rent, before water, before lights, before gas, before cellphone, before health insurance, before car insurance, before childcare, before food," he said.

Alabama is one of ten states that did not expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, a decision Jones and Figures said leaves thousands of working people without coverage. Figures faces Trump-endorsed Republican state lawmaker Rhett Marques, who has framed the race as "common sense" versus "craziness." Both have raised about $1.3 million.

In Mississippi, prosecutor Scott Colom is running against Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith, aiming to become the state's first newly elected U.S. senator since 1946. Colom cited Mississippi's large Black Democratic base, Hyde-Smith's relatively low profile and economic frustrations as openings. He argued the party must represent rural, suburban and urban America alike.

"For me, it can't be just about getting a Senate majority," Colom said. "It's got to be about having a party that represents rural America again... and we don't come up with excuses as to why we can't do it."

In Georgia, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is trying to end a Democratic losing streak in governor's races that dates to 2002. Democrats are also pursuing Senate upsets in Louisiana and South Carolina.

Alabama Republican Party chairman Scott Stadthagen dismissed talk of a resurgence, saying Democratic priorities are "far outside the views of conservative Alabamians" and that the state remains "the brightest red state" in the region. Tuberville, who has declined Jones' debate challenge, said he is running "against an ideology that's not very compatible with the people of Alabama" and plans to appear with Trump at a Mobile rally.

Still, some attendees said the energy felt different. Sam Phillips, 67, who saw Jones in both Dothan and Troy, said, "It doesn't get any redder than here, and there was a whole lot of excitement in both places. So I feel optimistic." Gwendolyn Davis, a 67-year-old retired special education teacher, left the Troy event with an armful of yard signs, determined to reach voters who have sat out past elections.

"If we don't get people out to vote, it will be kind of heartbreaking," she said.