The state of Alabama is in the middle of a monsoon of misdirection. Democrats tell us one constitutional amendment trumps another. Republicans argue they're following the constitution. The courts, instead of playing referee, have chosen to legislate. In the meantime, we don't know which election will count. We don't know which district we're in. We've been asked to wait for the legal maelstrom to conclude; even if it's just temporary.

As one of the only people running for Congress in the state of Alabama with a law degree, let me break down the confusion and illustrate what is written in our Constitution. Article 1 section 2: "Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers…" Notice, there is no mention of political parties. Apportionment is determined by "their respective numbers." In other words, we conduct a census, we divide the number of people to ensure each district is equally represented by population and then vote for our representatives. Makes sense? Right? Here's the hiccup in the same section; "...which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, excluding Indians, not taxed three fifths of all other persons."

Our founding fathers, men living in a different era and not perfect, made a distinction between "free Persons" and plainly stated, indentured servants, Indians and slaves. The description is in writing, and we can't ignore it. This is why the 14th amendment was added to the constitution. 14th Amendment Section 1: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." In other words, no person is below the law. We're all entitled to the freedoms and protections granted in the constitution. All law-abiding citizens, of age, get to vote.

The 19th amendment was added later to reiterate women were included in the category of "all persons."

Additionally, in the 14th amendment it further reiterates "all persons" have the right to cast a vote for representation: "Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State…" Not once does the constitution state political party redistricting is protected or a violation of the constitution. Everyone gets to vote. The State Legislature draws the map. The winners serve in the office they were elected to.

It's nearly impossible to keep track of all the court jurisdictions, lawsuits, filings, currently in motion. The political rhetoric is so loud we can barely tell who's on whose side or what the ultimate goal is for either party.

I'm a Republican running for a seat in Congress representing an area still to be determined. I'm a Christian who looks forward to putting his hand on the Bible and swearing an oath "to protect and defend the Constitution" for all Americans made in the image of our God. Skin color or ethnic background have no bearing on who I will serve. My 12 years in the military taught me the only color distinction was the pallet of each branch's uniform and Red, White and Blue.

Ultimately, North Alabama, Central Alabama and Coastal Alabama all have different economies, different geographics, and different needs. This isn't a legal war about race. It most definitely was decades ago. But in 2026, it's all just politics.

Editor's note: Political opinion pieces relating to upcoming elections will run up to a week before the election.