JSFiddle - React, Tailwind, and code Playground

HTML

<div class="state-text">
Alabama
</div>

<select class="state">
  <option value="" selected="selected">- Select -</option>
  <option value="AL">Alabama</option>
  <option value="AK">Alaska</option>
</select>

JavaScript

if ($('.state-text').val() == 'Alabama') {
	$('select.state').val('AL');
} 
else {
	$('select.state').val('');
}