Seven Republican candidates are running in next Tuesday’s primary for the GOP nomination in Alabama’s redrawn 2nd Congressional District.

AL.com asked the candidates several questions about issues and priorities. This story reports their responses to a question about what they consider the biggest challenge in the district.

Some of answers have been edited for clarity and brevity. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order.

There are 11 Democratic candidates in the 2nd District race. AL.com will report their answers in separate stories.

In October, a federal court approved a map extending the district from Montgomery to Mobile, from the Georgia line to the Mississippi line. Black residents now make up 49% of the voting age population in the district, changing it from a safe Republican district to one where a Democrat could win, potentially becoming the second Democrat and second Black member in Alabama’s seven-member Congressional delegation.

Question: What do you see as the biggest challenge for the district and what would you – or could you – do in Congress to combat it?

Greg Albritton

Greg Albritton has represented a south Alabama district in the state Senate since 2014. He is a retired officer in the U.S. Navy and was an attorney.

Population loss. of the 13 counties in AL02, 1 had a slight increase in population, 1 remained static, and the other 11 suffered a population decline. To stop the decline this district needs improved infrastructure including roads, internet, commerce, schools, parks, and a host of other needs. I shall seek committee assignments that will directly provide access to these needs; specifically the Transportation and Infrastructure.

Dick Brewbaker

Dick Brewbaker represented a Montgomery-area district in the state Senate for two terms and did not seek reelection in 2018, keeping a term-limit pledge. He owned and operated car dealerships in Montgomery for many years.

The most obvious challenge we face as a district is poverty and the perceived lack of opportunity throughout these areas of the state.

Poverty not strictly in the monetary sense – though this is one of the poorer congressional districts in the country – I am worried that we as Americans face rising generations of young people with a poverty of spirit. They no longer believe America works for them, and they no longer believe in the American Dream of working hard, doing the right thing, finding a career and starting a family.

When younger people no longer see our state or our nation as a place they can get ahead, it inevitably leads to more of the endemic problems like poverty, drug use, children born out of wedlock, and thinking that they way to get ahead in life is to go viral on Tik Tok.

What we can do is what I have endeavored to do throughout my entire life – lead by example, create a strong economic environment by lowering government spending and inflation – and put an end to the disastrous open border policies of Joe Biden and the radical leftists intent on driving our country into the ground so they don’t hurt anyone’s feelings.

My entire political philosophy can be summed up thusly: Liberty. Security. Limited Government: Build the Border Wall, stop the inflow of fentanyl and potential terrorists, lower spending and get our country back on track.

Caroleene Dobson

Caroleene Dobson is an attorney from Montgomery who grew up on a farm in Beatrice, a town in Monroe County.

Due to the failures of President Biden’s border policies, immigration affects every city, state, and district in the country. Our district is no exception. The border is a national security risk. In Congress, I would vote for a comprehensive border bill that stops this open season we have right now. I will vote to end the catch and release program and go back to remain in Mexico policies.

Karla DuPriest

Karla DuPriest is a businesswoman who lives in Mobile and is owner of Chris & Carla’s Heavenly Ribs. DuPriest ran for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in 2022, the race won by Katie Britt.

Economic development.

1. Economic development is the key to addressing: education equality, food insecurity, lost of rural hospitals, kids moving to opportunities, poor housing and infrastructure.

2. Healthcare is a human right.

Hampton Harris

Hampton Harris is an attorney and owns a real estate company in Montgomery.

Our military and our veterans are in dire need of help.

District 2 is very military dependent and there are a lot of veterans and current military members and their families who reside here. Correcting the damage done over the last three years under the Biden administration to our military and the VA system is one of the biggest challenges and most important things that we can address.

Additionally, our farmers are facing high costs and low profits due to inflation and loss of workers. We must help bring prices back down and lower the price of fuel so that we can support those who feed us.

Stacey Shepperson

Stacey Shepperson grew up in Washington County and is a math instructor at Bishop State Community College and a business owner.

One of the biggest challenges for the district is stopping the relocation of illegal immigrants throughout the district.

This singular issue has an impact on the economic opportunities and safety of the district. It also impacts our educational system because currently taxpayer dollars are being spent to educate and provide additional services to children of illegal immigrants. So, I would support closing the border.

Belinda Thomas

Belinda Thomas is a farmer and business owner and a member of the city council in Newton in Dale County.

With this being a new district, there is a need to bring the different industries together to promote growth. In congress I would fight against government overreach in order to stimulate economic growth and opportunities throughout the district.

AL.com staff writers Roy S. Johnson and John Sharp contributed to this report.

Read more: Race for Congress in District 2: Republican candidates on healthcare, rural hospital closures

Race for Congress in District 2: Democratic candidates on healthcare, rural hospital closures