A member of Alabama’s congressional delegation won't seek reelection. Rep. Martha Roby (R-Montgomery) says this term will be her last. She gave no reason for the decision. "Riley and I, and our children, Margaret and George, will be forever grateful to the people of Alabama’s Second District for giving us the tremendous privilege and honor of serving our state and country," Roby said. "Throughout my five terms in Congress, I have cast every vote with the guiding principle that Alabama always comes first."
Roby gained a reputation as an aggressive advocate for Maxwell Air Force Base and Fort Rucker, both in her district, and was an outspoken proponent for reform of the VA following the 2014 wait time scandal.
Roby's decision creates an open-seat contest in the 2nd District, which covers portions of central and southeast Alabama. Former state Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), who challenged Roby in the 2018 GOP primary, is expected to run again. Roby was forced into a Republican runoff that year by party-switching former Democratic Rep. Bobby Bright. Much of Bright's challenge was fueled by Roby's refusal to support Donald Trump for president in 2016. A late endorsement from President Trump, secured by GOP congressional leaders, helped propel Roby to victory.