A Democratic candidate has outraised her Republican opponent in today’s special election to replace a Republican lawmaker in north Alabama.

Marilyn Landis, a licensed counselor and the Democrat in a special election in Madison, received $236,465 in donations since August of 2023. About 84% of that comes from individual donors.

She leads Republican Teddy Powell, a city councilman in Madison, by more than $69,000, according to the Alabama Fair Campaign Practices Act database. Powell received three quarters of his support from PACs and business groups.

The district includes Redstone Arsenal and parts of Madison.

The district 10 has been in Republican hands for years, Alabama Reflector reported. But Democrats have recently made inroads. Cole got 52% of the vote to Lands’ 45% in 2022. Boyd got 3%.

Lands’ campaign emphasizes reproductive rights. She criticizes the state’s near-total abortion ban and the state Supreme Court’s February ruling effectively banning in vitro fertilization, Reflector reported. Lands, who had an abortion due to a nonviable pregnancy in the past, stresses the urgency of accessible reproductive healthcare to prevent severe health consequences for women.

Powell, focusing on economic development and infrastructure, said he wants to find solutions to lower costs and attract investment to Alabama and continue growth in the district, that report stated. He emphasized the need to better allocate tax revenue from the state’s growth to fund services and infrastructure projects in northern Alabama.

The issue of reproductive rights, particularly IVF, and the competitive nature of the race — Trump narrowly won the district in 2020 — has thrust the election into the national spotlight.

“I think in this race, in this district, at this time, it’s the right issue for the right day, and IVF is absolutely going to be an issue,” Republican strategist Jon Gray told The Hill, while arguing abortion and IVF were separate issues.

“It could set the tone as Democrats seek to use this as a campaign issue — and Republicans figure out how to respond — in the coming months,” Politico reported.

The 2024 candidates have received more than $342,000 in donations since August 2023 when the former District 10 Rep. David Cole vacated the seat after being challenged over living out of district and being arrested on an illegal voting charge. Landis ran against Cole in 2022 and received 45% of the vote.

Here’s a breakdown of the candidates’ campaign contributions:

Marilyn Lands, total donations: $236,465.92

• In–state donations: $215,996.89 / 91.3%
• Out-of-state donations: $20,469 / 8.7%
• Donations more than $1,000: $106,566 / 45.1%
• Donations less than $100: $31,430.46 / 13.3%
• Individual donations: $198,965.92 / 84.1%
• PAC donations: $37,500 / 15.9%
• Largest donations: Alabama Works PAC, $25,000; Marilyn Lands, $10,000

Teddy Powell, total donations: $167,440.21

• In–state donations: $166,425.21/ 99.4%
• Out-of-state donations: $515 / .3%
• Donations more than $1000: $151,236.01 / 90.3%
• Donations less than $100: $735 / .4%
• Individual donations: $/ 21.3%
• PAC donations: $87,450 / 52.2%
• Business/group donations: $44,588.37 / 26.6%
• Largest donations: Teddy Powell, $20,000; ProgressPAC, $25,000

The special election is today. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can find election information at Madisoncountyvotes.com.

Here’s more information on the Alabama House District 10 election.