In Tuskegee, Alabama, a historic city renowned for its African American legacy, two congressional candidates recently engaged with families at a county festival. Democrat Shomari Figures, a former Obama administration member, is striving to win the seat in the redrawn 2nd Congressional District against Republican Caroleene Dobson, a real estate lawyer aiming to maintain GOP control.
Following a redistricting battle where the U.S. Supreme Court identified the dilution of Black voters’ influence, the district was reshaped to provide Black voters with better representation. With the district now leaning Democrat and a sizeable Black voting-age population, the race is crucial in determining U.S. House control, according to Cook Political Report.
Figures and Dobson, both young lawyers with ties to Alabama, hold differing political views. Figures focuses on issues like healthcare and education, while Dobson’s campaign centers on border security, inflation, and crime, aligning herself with Donald Trump’s policies. Their stances diverge particularly on immigration, with Figures deeming it less impactful in the district’s immediate challenges compared to Dobson’s emphasis on border security.
The district spans lower Alabama, encompassing urban, rural, and historically significant regions. Figures is expected to benefit from the new Democratic ticket with Vice President Kamala Harris, while Dobson’s campaign is likely to rally Trump supporters. The close race has drawn attention to the district, giving the community a newfound voice in the political landscape, noted one resident.
