In the historic city of Tuskegee, Alabama, two congressional candidates are vying for the newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District seat in a highly competitive race. Democrat Shomari Figures, a former Obama administration staffer, is running against Republican Caroleene Dobson, a real estate attorney and political newcomer.
Both candidates attended a local county festival to meet voters, highlighting the intense battle for the district. The race is significant as the district, previously a Republican stronghold, has been reshaped to give Black voters more influence, following a court-ordered redistricting due to concerns over voter dilution.
The new district, which includes places like Tuskegee, now has a nearly 49% Black voting-age population, up from 30%. This shift makes the district lean Democratic, according to analysts, but Republicans still see it as a winnable race.
Both candidates have been prioritized by their national parties, with Figures being named to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “Red to Blue” program and Dobson to the Republican “Young Guns” list. The outcome of this race could help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives, making it a high-stakes contest.
Newly Redrawn Alabama District Sparks Fierce Contest Between Democrat Figures and Republican Dobson
Figures, 39, and Dobson, 37, are both under 40, have young children, and returned to Alabama after pursuing careers elsewhere. Figures is the son of prominent state legislators and has focused his campaign on issues such as expanding Medicaid, preventing hospital closures, and improving infrastructure and public education.
He has criticized Alabama’s refusal to expand Medicaid and emphasized the pressing need for federal resources to address the district’s challenges.
Dobson, on the other hand, has centered her campaign on issues such as border security, inflation, and crime, which she believes resonate with voters across the political spectrum. Aligning herself with Donald Trump, she highlights concerns about the state of the country under Democratic leadership, particularly on economic and immigration issues.
Recently, Dobson visited the U.S.-Mexico border to underscore her commitment to border security, while Figures dismissed it as a “photo op” and argued that immigration is not the root cause of the district’s problems.
The newly redrawn district stretches across Alabama’s Black Belt and includes urban and rural areas, making it a battleground for both parties.
Democratic pollsters believe the presence of Vice President Kamala Harris on the ticket will energize Black and young voters, while Republicans expect enthusiasm for Trump to boost their turnout. Residents like Ira Stallworth note that the race has brought unprecedented attention to the area, offering hope for more representation and a louder voice for the district’s concerns.
