Mobile, Alabama — Two Democrats vying for Alabama's newly reconfigured congressional district debated Tuesday night, emphasizing their federal and Alabama legislative experience.
Shomari Figures, former deputy chief of staff and counselor to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, and state House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels will face off Tuesday for Alabama's 2nd Congressional District Democratic nomination.
Democrats hope to flip the Deep South seat, which Republicans have controlled since a federal court redesigned it to give Black voters more representation. Federal judges found the state's prior congressional layout likely violated the Voting Rights Act. The court said Alabama should have a second district with a large Black vote.
The keenly watched November general election will pit the Democratic runoff winner against the Republican nominee. Former state senator Dick Brewbaker and attorney Caroleene Dobson are running for the Republican nomination. GOP leaders want to keep the seat.
The keenly watched November general election will pit the Democratic runoff winner against the Republican nominee. Former state senator Dick Brewbaker and attorney Caroleene Dobson are running for the Republican nomination. GOP leaders want to keep the seat. Former teacher and business owner Daniels was elected to the Alabama Legislature in 2014 and became minority leader in 2017, the first Black man to do so.
“I have the experience and track record for delivering for Alabamans,” Daniels stated. Despite Democrats being a “super minority” in Montgomery, Daniels claimed he has passed legislation, including a new overtime pay tax exemption. Figures was Obama's deputy director of the Presidential Personnel Office and a congressional aide for Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown before joining Garland.
We need someone who can run full-speed into Washington. Washington isn't Montgomery. It is a distinct beast, and we need someone who knows Washington D.C., Figures added. Figures is the son of longtime Alabama state Sen. Vivian Davis Figures and Senate President Pro Tem Michael Figures, who died in 1996.
The debate was calmer than the GOP runoff debate. In numerous areas, Figures and Daniels agreed. Both criticized Alabama's Medicaid expansion refusal. Both called for immigration reform. Both criticized Alabama lawmakers for eliminating the need for a concealed handgun permit in public.
Eleven Democrats ran for the new district, a once-in-a-generation chance for Democrats in a Republican-dominated state and federal government. Figures dominated the first round with 43% of the vote. Daniels placed second at 22%. As no contender received more than 50% of the vote, a runoff is needed.
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