Voters in Barbour County will have several decisions to make when they head to the polls on November 3. While much of the attention across Alabama has been on the governor’s race and control of Congress, some of the decisions closer to home deserve just as much attention.

Barbour County includes several small towns and rural communities, and the people elected to represent them at the county, state, and federal levels have a hand in decisions that affect their residents.

Whether it’s funding for roads and agriculture, support for law enforcement, property taxes, or access to state and federal resources, many of those decisions are made well beyond the communities they affect.

Here’s a look at several of the races on November’s ballot, the candidates seeking office, and what those positions mean for Barbour County.

Alabama Senate District 28: Billy Beasley and Brent Comer

Democratic incumbent Billy Beasley is seeking another term representing Alabama Senate District 28. Beasley has served in the Senate since 2010, following earlier service in the Alabama House of Representatives. He’s facing Republican Brent Comer, a businessman and professional landman.

The Senate is one of the places where decisions about state funding, legislation, and local government authority are made. For a community like Louisville, those decisions can influence everything from road improvements and rural healthcare to the resources available to local governments and public safety agencies.

Beasley’s years in the Legislature give voters an established voting record to examine. Comer offers voters an alternative, drawing on his background in business and land management.

The question for voters isn’t simply which party they prefer. It’s also what each candidate intends to do for the communities within the district, including the smaller towns that don’t always receive the same attention as larger cities.

U.S. Senate: Barry Moore and Everett Wess

Republican Barry Moore and Democrat Everett Wess are competing for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor.

Moore currently represents Alabama’s 1st Congressional District and previously served in the Alabama House of Representatives. His campaign emphasizes support for President Trump, stronger immigration enforcement, tax cuts, reduced government regulation, and gun rights. Voters can also review his congressional voting record.

Wess is a Birmingham attorney who has also served as a prosecutor and municipal judge. His campaign focuses on affordable healthcare, particularly access to rural hospitals, economic opportunity, public safety, and protecting individual rights. He has also called for greater congressional oversight of tariffs and restrictions on the use of automated license plate readers.

U.S. House District 2: Shomari Figures and Rhett Marques

Democratic Congressman Shomari Figures is seeking reelection to Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District against Republican Rhett Marques, who currently serves in the Alabama House of Representatives.

Figures was first elected to Congress in 2024 after federal court proceedings led to a redrawing of Alabama’s congressional districts. The district has since been redrawn again, making the boundaries and representation of Alabama’s Black Belt a central issue in the race.

Figures has pointed to federal funding for hospitals, housing, infrastructure, and law enforcement as part of his work in Congress. Marques, a business owner and state legislator, has emphasized public safety, conservative policies, and his support for President Donald Trump’s agenda.

For communities throughout Barbour County, the federal connection is practical. Small towns frequently depend on federal programs for projects they cannot afford through local revenue alone. Water and sewer infrastructure, public safety equipment, transportation, and rural development are all areas where federal funding can make a difference.

A member of Congress doesn’t make those decisions alone, and federal funding isn’t guaranteed simply because a community has a representative in Washington. But having someone who understands the needs of smaller communities, and is willing to pursue available resources, can affect which projects receive attention.

Both candidates are seeking to represent a district that includes communities with different political priorities and economic circumstances. Whoever wins will be responsible for representing all of them.

Barbour County Revenue Commissioner: Marshall Williams and Tony Robertson

One of the more consequential local contests is the race for Barbour County Revenue Commissioner. Democratic incumbent Marshall J. Williams III faces Republican Tony Robertson.

The revenue commissioner’s office handles property assessments and the collection of property taxes. Those responsibilities affect homeowners, businesses, schools, and local governments throughout Barbour County.

A state audit of the Barbour County Revenue Commissioner’s Office identified problems with the handling and deposit of taxpayer funds, along with failures to maintain required documentation and submit financial reports during Williams’ tenure. The audit also includes financial charges against Williams and a former office bookkeeper.

For voters, this race involves both the administration of an essential county office and the accountability expected of the people responsible for public funds. Williams is running on his record as the incumbent, while Robertson is seeking to replace him.

Alabama Attorney General: Katherine Robertson and Jeff McLaughlin

Alabama will also elect a new attorney general, with Republican Katherine Robertson facing Democrat Jeff McLaughlin. Current Attorney General Steve Marshall is leaving office because of term limits.

Robertson has served as chief counsel to AG Marshall and has emphasized conservative legal priorities and opposition to federal overreach. McLaughlin, an attorney and former state legislator, has emphasized government accountability, consumer protection, and addressing corruption.

The attorney general serves as Alabama’s chief legal officer, representing the state in legal matters and exercising authority in areas that include criminal justice, consumer protection, and public corruption.

Although the office operates statewide, its decisions can reach local communities through criminal prosecutions, investigations, legal opinions, and actions involving public officials.

Alabama House District 84: Berry Forte

Democratic State Representative Berry Forte is running unopposed for another term representing House District 84, which includes Louisville.

Forte has represented the district since 2010 and previously served on the Barbour County Commission. His work in the House includes participating in the state budget process, considering legislation, and representing the interests of communities within his district.

Although there’s no opposing candidate on the ballot, the office remains part of our representation in Montgomery.

Alabama Governor: Doug Jones and Tommy Tuberville

Alabama’s governor’s race features two former opponents. Republican U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville faces Democrat Doug Jones, who previously served in the U.S. Senate. Tuberville defeated Jones in their 2020 Senate contest.

The winner will succeed Governor Kay Ivey and oversee Alabama’s executive branch, including state agencies responsible for transportation, public safety, economic development, and other services that reach communities throughout the state.

Beyond these races

These aren’t the only offices or questions on the November ballot. Alabama voters will also elect several other statewide officials, while Barbour County voters will see additional county offices and proposed constitutional amendments.

The full ballot is available through the Alabama Secretary of State’s election information page.

For Barbour County, the election will determine who represents its residents in Montgomery and Washington, who administers an important county office, and who leads several statewide agencies. Those are different responsibilities, but each has a connection to the people who live and work here.