District 6 Race for Congress heats up

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The 6th District contest between Republican Gary Palmer and Democrat Mark Lester highlights Alabama's congressional races this year. Palmer and Lester are vying to replace the longest-serving member of Alabama's U.S. House delegation, Rep. Spencer Bachus. But Palmer is considered a heavy favorite in the overwhelmingly GOP district. Congressional incumbents elsewhere in Alabama face poorly funded challengers or don't have any opposition on Nov. 4. Palmer's main challenge came during the primary and runoff in the 6th District of suburban Birmingham and central Alabama. Palmer is stressing conservative-friendly themes like opposing President Barack Obama and reducing the national debt by spending cuts. Lester is campaigning on issues including reducing income inequality and trying to quell partisan rancor in Washington. Palmer is a policy analyst, and Lester is a college professor.