Media

Overview

Rhett Marques is a cost-raising politician who looks out for his elite billionaire backers while voting for plans to raise taxes, and supporting plans to raise healthcare costs, and increase prices on everyday items like groceries, gas, and farm supplies for Alabamians.

Summary

Starting immediately, voters district-wide need to see digital ads on CTV, YouTube, and other streaming platforms and on broadcast TV and cable about how:

In the Legislature, Rhett Marques voted to raise taxes 22 times, including raising taxes on diesel and gas by 67%, car registration fees, and sales taxes while failing to pay his own taxes. But Marques did support a federal law that cut taxes for billionaires and millionaires. All while supporting cost-raising tariffs that are increasing the cost of groceries, gas, and farm supplies.

Starting the fifth week prior to the November election, ALL voters district-wide need to see ads in the following sequence on broadcast and cable TV, general market radio, and on OTT and streaming platforms districtwide that:

Data centers are popping up across Alabama, but Rhett Marques supports a law that hands developers $70 billion in tax breaks to keep building new data centers without any protections or regard for landowners/homeowners, insisting that there are “plenty of places in Alabama” for them even as he admits he wouldn’t want one in his own neighborhood. Now he’s being backed by giant tech companies who stand to profit off building data centers and are willing to spend millions in our elections to impose their will on Alabama.

With costs crushing Alabama families and seniors, Rhett Marques brushed it off, saying their pain was a “temporary setback”. And when his fellow Republicans criticized him for voting to raise taxes 22 times while Alabama families are struggling to make ends meet, Marques suggested that Alabamians aren’t smart enough to understand, saying “these people do not understand how local bills work.” Rhett Marques out of touch with everyday Alabamians.

Voters ONLY in the Montgomery and Columbus media markets need to see on broadcast and cable TV, urban radio, and on OTT and streaming platforms that:

Rhett Marques supported a law that slashed SNAP funding, kicking over 22,000 children off vital food programs, threatens the closure of rural hospitals and threatens nursing home care, while doubling insurance premiums for everyone else. All to give giant tax breaks to his billionaire backers.

Voters ONLY in the Dothan media market need to see on broadcast and cable TV, rural radio, and on OTT and streaming platforms that:

Rhett Marques supported tariffs that are crushing farmers and decimating Alabama peanut farmers. Farmers are paying more for fertilizer, equipment, parts and other supplies but have fewer markets to sell their crops. Despite the pain, Marques says he’s proud of this failed approach.

BLACK VOTERS district-wide, and especially in the Montgomery and Columbus media markets, need to see ads on broadcast and cable TV, urban radio, and on OTT and streaming platforms that:

Marques supports massive Medicaid cuts that could force already struggling rural hospitals and clinics to close. Several Alabama hospitals are already at risk of shutting their doors, and thanks to the plan Marques supports, families could be left driving even farther to see a doctor or reach an emergency room, losing precious time when they need lifesaving care.

Marques has repeatedly voted to raise taxes and make life more expensive for Alabama families. Marques voted to raise the state gas tax and vehicle registration fees, making it more expensive to drive and own a car. On the Enterprise City Council, he also voted to raise the local sales tax, adding to the cost of everyday purchases for families already struggling to make ends meet.

Marques has repeatedly backed efforts to weaken Black voting power and make it harder for Black Alabamians to vote. Marques took advantage of a redistricting plan that reduced Black voting power in this district and voted for new restrictions on absentee voting that make it harder for Black Alabamians to cast a ballot.

Additional Resources

When communicating about the 22 times Rhett Marques voted to increase taxes, voters in the Dothan media market need to especially know about the tariff impacts on peanut farmers. Additionally, voters could also benefit from a bifurcation between Marques’ votes to increase taxes on diesel and gas (making it more expensive to drive and own a car) versus/and his votes to increase sales taxes (adding to the cost of everyday purchases for families already struggling to make ends meet).

This race should not be litigated through racialized frames that have historical connections.

Alabama is 1 of 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid. Voters should NOT receive communications about the impact of Medicaid cuts that inaccurately reflects the state’s status.

Video

B-roll footage of Shomari Figures, 4 minutes 41 seconds.