Democrats Rally in Cullman for Braswell, Jones Discuss Key Issues

Democrats in Cullman County, Alabama, convened on July 30, 2025, for a town hall meeting featuring the Democratic nominee for House District 11, Alex Braswell, alongside former U.S. Senator Doug Jones. The event drew over 80 attendees, highlighting the community’s engagement despite the predominantly Republican landscape in the area. Braswell, who is the first female nominee for this position, secured the Democratic nomination unopposed earlier this year, taking over from former State Representative Randall Shedd.

The town hall focused on pressing issues, including Medicaid expansion, mental health services, a state lottery, and gun violence. Jones emphasized the significance of such gatherings, stating they provide a vital platform for voters to voice their concerns directly to representatives. He encouraged Braswell to maintain this practice once elected, reminding her that inclusivity is essential. “When she gets elected, she needs to do things like this on a regular basis,” Jones advised. “She needs to get out and invite people, and don’t just invite her friends, invite the community.”

Despite the challenges faced by local Democrats in a historically conservative region, the mood was cautiously optimistic. One attendee expressed a desire for encouragement amid what he perceived as a “lack of empathy” within the current Republican establishment. In response, Braswell remarked that her experiences indicate there are more Democratic supporters in Cullman than reflected in election results. “I think Cullman’s superpower is that there are more Democrats here than you think,” she stated. “I want our message to be ‘You are not alone. There is a place for you here.’ The voices are getting younger and the message is getting brighter.”

In his opening remarks, Ricky Browning, chair of the Cullman County Democratic Party, reinforced this sentiment. He noted that representation matters, regardless of the number of voters. “Cullman County is not completely Republican. I know that’s a shock,” he said, pointing out that in the last election, 89% of voters supported Donald Trump, leaving a significant 11% who sought alternatives.

Jones publicly endorsed Braswell last month, marking his only endorsement in the three House special elections featuring Democratic candidates this year. During the town hall, former District 12 Representative James Fields questioned how the party could better mobilize supporters and increase voter registration. Jones acknowledged that while Alabama excels at registering voters, turnout remains a challenge. “At one point we had about 3.7 million voters registered, but out of those, about 20% have never voted,” he noted.

The upcoming election on August 26 will see Braswell competing against Republican nominee Heath Allbright. Jones recalled the excitement of the December 12, 2017, election when Alabama elected its first Democrat to the U.S. Senate in 25 years. He expressed hope for a repeat performance, urging attendees to seize the opportunity to convey that “the status quo is not always right.”

Braswell aims to build on the momentum established by recent initiatives, such as the formation of Blueprint Alabama and the Alabama Democratic County Chairs’ Association, which seeks to enhance organization among local parties. In a notable development, the ADCCA announced that every county in Alabama now has a Democratic Party chair for the first time in decades.

Despite her uphill battle, evidenced by campaign finance records showing Allbright raising nearly ten times more than her, Braswell is leveraging social media to foster personal connections with voters. “I’m a Democrat, and I’m running as a Democrat, because I’ve never voted for anything other than Democrats in the past,” she affirmed. “Every time we are left out, we let them know … We are here and the door is open for anyone and everyone who would like to come and speak to me.”

The Cullman town hall exemplified the ongoing efforts of local Democrats to galvanize support and engage with constituents as the election approaches.