Republican Belinda Thomas, a member of the city council in Newton in Dale County, qualified to run for the Republican nomination for Congress in Alabama’s redrawn 2nd Congressional District.

Thomas is a farmer and founder of Joyful F.A.R.M.S., a nonprofit that mentors new farmers, according to a news release from her campaign. She is the owner of Alabamaboo Inc., which promotes farming bamboo.

Thomas, is a member of the State Republican Executive Committee and the state GOP’s Alabama Outreach Coalition, which aims to recruit conservative Black and minority voters. Thomas joined teams of other Alabama Republicans to campaign for Donald Trump in Florida in 2020 and Hershel Walker in Georgia in 2022.

Thomas is one of eight Republicans who have qualified in the redrawn District 2, which was changed from a safe Republican district to one where Democrats have a chance to win. Thirteen Democrats qualified. Qualifying ended Friday for the primary, set for March 5.

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“We know the district has been redrawn but the people of District 2 still need a champion!,” Thomas said in the news release. “Since supporting Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020, I have worked tirelessly to build the conservative base throughout the great state of Alabama. My focus is Main Street economics and with my unique background in agriculture as a farmer and a small business owner, I will ensure the hard-working people of District 2 are put first.”

Thomas was born in Birmingham and raised in Detroit, according to her campaign. She was elected to the Newton City Council in 2020.