The Alabama Congressional District 2 race is set between Democrat Shomari Figures and Republican Caroleene Dobson, marking a rare competitive general election contest in the state after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Both candidates are under 40 and attorneys, with Figures having ties to the Biden administration and Dobson being a strong supporter of former President Trump. They come from diverse backgrounds and are both parents to young children, making this race one to watch in November.
Shomari Figures, an attorney with ties to the Justice Department, secured a convincing win in the 2nd congressional district Democratic runoff election, positioning him as the early favorite to become the first Black Alabamian elected to Congress outside the 7th congressional district. He will face off against conservative attorney Caroleene Dobson in the general election, with political pundits giving Figures the early advantage in a district that leans Democratic. The race is expected to be closely contested, with turnout and candidate quality playing crucial roles in determining the outcome.
CNN projects former US Justice Department official Shomari Figures to win the Democratic primary runoff in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, potentially making history with two Black House members from Alabama serving together for the first time. The seat was redrawn under a new map that significantly boosted the district’s Black population, creating a pickup opportunity for Democrats. Figures will face Republican nominee Caroleene Dobson in November, with the potential to join Rep. Terri Sewell as the state's second Black member in Congress. The new district was approved after a three-judge panel's ruling, and former US Attorney General Eric Holder sees it as a step toward progress and increased voter turnout.
Shomari Figures and Caroleene Dobson emerged as the Democratic and Republican nominees, respectively, in the primary runoff for Alabama's redrawn 2nd Congressional District. Figures, a former Obama administration staffer, defeated Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, while Dobson, a first-time candidate, bested former state senator Dick Brewbaker. The new map presents a chance for Democrats to flip a Republican seat, with Figures aiming to become the second Black lawmaker and second Democrat in Alabama's seven-member congressional delegation.
The Republican runoff in Alabama's 2nd congressional district features a bitter contest between Dick Brewbaker, a former state senator, and Caroleene Dobson, a Montgomery attorney. The winner will face a Democratic candidate in the November general election, with the balance of the U.S. House at stake. The race has seen significant self-financing, with Brewbaker raising $1.8 million and Dobson raising $1.2 million. The candidates differ on issues such as support for former President Trump, regulation, voter ID laws, and immigration policies.
