By Kirsten J. Barnes
Despite losing Russell County to Anthony Daniels, Shomari Figures won the Democratic nomination for the 2nd Congressional District of Alabama on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. In Phenix City and other areas within the county, Danials received 848 votes, while Figures received 708 votes.
According to the Alabama Secretary of State Office, Figures received 21,926 or 61.05 percent and Alabama House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels received 13,990 or 38.95 percent. Figures will now face Republican Caroleene Dobson, who received 497 votes in Russell County, compared to the 182 votes received by her challenger Dick Brewbaker.
From his campaign victory party Figures told his supporters and the media that he was excited about the opportunity to carry the torch of public service forward in his family.
“We’re looking forward to the work ahead, and we’re looking forward to this November,” Figures said from his victory celebration at the Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa in his hometown.
He told his supporters how important it would be for all Democrats to stand united behind him in November to ensure the redistricting lawsuit will result in more African American representation in Congress for Alabama.
The U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision decided that black Alabamians had indeed been denied adequate representation in Congress due to gerrymandering or manipulating the population of a constituency’s boundaries to favor one party, especially when there is no geographical logic to the shape or size of the district accept to dilute the voting power of one group of people.
Despite recent census data showing that Russell County, Mobile County, and Montgomery County are increasingly black, they currently have white representation, diluting their vote and denying them fair representation by people who look and think like them.
After his defeat, Anthony Daniels said he would turn his focus back to the Alabama House.
“Today, my work goes on. As House Minority Leader, I remain committed to steering Alabama toward a future brimming with promise and opportunity,” said Daniels, in a statement released the day after the election. “My pledge to the constituents of AL-2 remains resolute — to foster their growth and prosperity under my vigilant leadership.”
As the House Minority Leader, Daniels said he will continue to work with Congressing District 2 constituents in his current position.
“Last night, the results did not go as we had hoped, and I respect the decision of the voters in AL-2. Though we were looking for a different outcome, I carry forward a sense of gratitude and purpose that is stronger than ever,” Daniels said. “Thank you once again to everyone who supported this campaign. Your energy, passion, and commitment have not only enriched this race but have also strengthened me.”
Accepting the Democratic nomination, Figures said he wanted to focus on winning over more voters and convincing them his experience in Washington, D.C., would be the game-changer for the people of Alabama.
“This is a position in the federal government and knowing how federal government works matters. I don’t agree with how the federal government works as many people can attest to and have similar feelings, but I know how it works and knowing how it works is a necessary background, and it’s a necessary experience to be able to leverage the entirety of the federal government for the benefit of this district,” Figures said after the election. “And having someone that has walked the halls of Congress, that has sat in the White House, that has been at a federal agency – that matters because all of those offices and all of those places can play a role in bringing the type of progress, the type of benefits and successes that we want to see in this district.”
The next election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2023. Residents have until 15 days before the election to register to vote. If you have an Alabama Driver’s License or Identification Card, you can register by visiting https://www.alabamainteractive.org/sos/voter_registration/instructions.action.