Former Alabama senator and Montgomery businessman Dick Brewbaker is running for the Republican nomination for Congress in Alabama’s redrawn 2nd District.

Brewbaker became the second candidate to qualify with the state Republican Party for the March 5 primary, following Montgomery attorney Caroleene Dobson. State Sen. Greg Albritton of Atmore is also seeking the nomination.

Brewbaker did not seek reelection in 2018 after completing two terms in the Alabama Senate, keeping a term-limit commitment. He had previously served one term in the Alabama House.

Brewbaker operated Montgomery car dealerships for many years before selling the businesses in December 2022. He was an education adviser to Gov. Fob James during James’ second term in the 1990s.

Brewbaker, 62, said Tuesday he did not plan to return to politics, but events and circumstances changed his mind.

“I thought I was out for good,” Brewbaker said. “I had done my public service and was proud of my record and thought I had done my debt. But suddenly having a flock of grandchildren changes your perspective on things.

“I’m genuinely concerned about the direction of the country as whole and the Republican Party in particular. And as someone with the experience and with the ability, I thought I had a duty to try to see if I can get in to make things better.”

Brewbaker said inflation, especially on food staples, is hurting Alabama families. He said the problem is mainly the result of government decisions, including runaway spending and policies that restrict energy production and raise costs for agriculture.

“It seems that government has all sorts of priorities other than helping the people it is supposed to represent,” Brewbaker said. “In fact, its policies are actually damaging them.

“I raised five boys. That’s a lot of eggs. If the Bureau of Labor Statistics figures (on inflation) are accurate, if you’re paying much more just to keep them in potatoes, eggs, and hamburger meat, I mean that matters for a family whose household income is $60,000. That’s a big deal.”

Brewbaker said Republicans in Congress need to focus on practical matters instead of attacks on other Republicans that impede the work it takes to make good decisions. An example, he said, is the difficulty the Republican majority had in choosing a speaker.

“I think that Republicans need to get back to taking governing seriously enough to where we’re focusing on the broad issues that we promised our constituents that we would focus on, not publicly fighting with each other and trying to paint members of our own party as the enemy,” Brewbaker said. “When you get right down to it, they probably vote the same way on 97% of the issues.

“Maybe in this era of social media all of this incivility is unavoidable. But I have a feeling that is is avoidable, that we can return to reasoned civility in government, especially in a legislative chamber.”

District 2 changed on a map approved by a federal court. It spans south Alabama from the Mississippi line to the Georgia line. It includes all of Montgomery County and a northwest portion of Mobile County. The redrawn district has a voting age population that is 49% Black, up from 30% on the old map. Reports on recent voting patterns that were filed with the court showed the new district will favor Democratic candidates.

But Brewbaker said he is expecting a strong Republican field. Qualifying ends on Friday.

“By the time the 10th rolls around, you’re going to have several serious people running for office for the right reasons, and that makes me glad,” Brewbaker said.

On the Democratic side, state Rep. Jeremy Gray of Opelika and Willie J. Lenard have qualified. Other Democrats have announced they are running. They are state Rep. Napoleon Bracy Jr., of Prichard, state Sen. Kirk Hatcher of Montgomery, and Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson.