Republicans debate ahead of runoff for Alabama congressional seat

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — The two Republicans running for Alabama’s redrawn 2nd Congressional District clashed in a debate that aired Monday ahead of next week’s runoff.

Dick Brewbaker, a businessman and former state senator, and Caroleene Dobson, an attorney and political newcomer, are vying for the GOP nomination in the April 16 runoff. The winner will face the Democratic nominee in the closely watched November election.

Dobson and Brewbaker traded verbal jabs in the debate as Dobson criticized legislative votes that Brewbaker had taken on taxes and business regulation. Brewbaker fired back that Dobson was repeatedly lying about his record.

“We don’t need to send a retired career politician,” Dobson said in her opening statement. “If you send me, I’ll stand tall with President Trump against the left.”

Brewmaker said, “everything she has ever said about my record” has been a distortion. “As a car dealer, believe me, I know a lot more about the effect of regulation on small business than a lawyer from Texas.”

Dobson, who was raised in Monroe County, lived and practiced law in Texas before joining the Maynard Nexsen law firm in 2019.

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