The race for Representative of Alabama’s newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District is closely watched following a federal court’s ruling that the previous map was racially gerrymandered. Attorney Caroleene Dobson defeated former state Sen. Dick Brewbaker to win the Republican nomination, while Shomari Figures, a former top aide to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, defeated state House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels to win the Democratic nomination. Alabama voters decided primary runoffs for the state’s newly redrawn district, setting up a potentially historic November race that could play a part in the battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Democrats are aiming to flip the seat after the district was redrawn by a federal court to boost the voting power of Black residents. If Figures is elected, it will be the first time in history that Alabama, which is about 27% Black, has two Black members in its congressional delegation. Figures, who has a background in law and has served as an aide to former President Barack Obama, is the son of two prominent Alabama legislators. Republicans believe they will be competitive in November and have a chance to keep the seat under GOP control. The non-partisan Cook Political Report rated the district as “likely Democrat,” meaning it favors the Democratic candidate in November but isn’t considered a sure thing.
The new district came after a lengthy court battle in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Black Alabamians who had challenged the state’s existing congressional districts. Federal judges approved new district lines in October after ruling that Alabama’s previous map was racially gerrymandered to limit the influence of the state’s Black voters. The three-judge panel said Alabama should have a second district where Black voters make up a substantial portion of the voting age population and have a reasonable opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice. Following the runoff election, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, expressed optimism about the potential for Black Alabamians to elect two members of Congress who reflect their desires.
Shomari Figures expressed gratitude for the trust and faith that voters of the newly drawn district have placed in him to represent the Democratic Party in November. Figures, a seasoned attorney with a background in working for prominent political figures, moved back to Alabama to run for the congressional seat. On the Republican side, Caroleene Dobson, a real estate attorney and member of the Alabama Forestry Commission, harnessed support in rural areas to defeat Brewbaker for the nomination. Dobson, who was raised in Monroe County and lived and practiced law in Texas before returning to Alabama, thanked Republican voters for their support and expressed eagerness to represent Alabama families.
The upcoming general election in November will see Dobson and Figures face off in a closely watched race. Democrats are hopeful of flipping the seat as the district was redrawn to amplify the voting power of Black residents. If Figures emerges victorious, it will mark a historic moment for Alabama as it will have two Black members in the congressional delegation for the first time. Republicans, on the other hand, are optimistic about their chances in the November election and believe they could retain control of the seat. The new district spans the width of the state, encompassing Montgomery, parts of Mobile, and rural counties in the state’s Black Belt.
