By Brian Lyman | Editor
“There are swing legislative districts in Madison County, for instance, that I think could be in trouble. I also have some opinions on a couple of statewide races that look like they will be closer than they should be, but I don’t want to give you names there.” - Andrew Sorrell, Republican state auditor, on the 2026 elections
U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Mobile (third from left, in blue shirt) addresses a crowd attending the All Roads Lead to the South rally in Montgomery, Alabama on May 16, 2026. (Andi Rice for Alabama Reflector)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Ralph Chapoco
Republicans remain the heavy favorites in most state races this November. But several GOP candidates have voiced concerns that Democratic enthusiasm and GOP apathy could help Democrats in the elections. While GOP turnout in the May primary was flat compared to four years ago, Democrats saw a surge in voting following Republican efforts to redraw the state’s congressional map. That could help Democrats in contested local races.
Residents of Lowndes County holding up signs that read "No Data Center" at a County Commission meeting on Aug. 24, 2026, in Hayneville, Alabama, in the Lowndes County Courthouse. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector
DC BUREAU
By David Lightman
Before leaving for a recess that will extend past the November election, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill to require state energy regulators to consider requirements that data centers absorb the cost of the energy they use. But the vote was only a first step; there’s no clear second one, and President Donald Trump’s support for data centers could be a major obstacle to future action.
General Manager Brian Horak walks down an aisle at Post 60 Market in Emerson, Nebraska. (Kevin Hardy/Stateline)
COMMENTARY
By Brian Lyman
There’s a growing consensus among Democrats and Republicans that the state’s grocery tax must go. And it should: it’s a regressive tax on a basic necessity. But in my column this week, I write that the levy is one of many that falls too heavily on poor and middle-class households in Alabama, who are expected to fund the state government while wealthier families enjoy a selection of tax breaks and preferential treatment.
ICYMI
With vote-by-mail court fight settled, attention shifts to protections at the polls | Jacob Fischler, DC Bureau
FDA acknowledges estrogen patch shortage, says it’s working to increase supply | Kelcie Moseley-Morris, Stateline
Trump rapid third-world removal policy blocked at appeals court | Ariana Figueroa, DC Bureau
Thanks for reading First Look. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.