Shomari Figures, the Black Democrat running in an Alabama congressional district redrawn last year by a court order, has won the seat over Republican Caroleene Dobson, NBC News projects.
With 84% of votes reported Tuesday, Figures had 54.8% of the vote to 45.1% for Dobson.
In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an earlier ruling stating that Alabama’s district map likely discriminated against Black voters and mandated redrawing the 2nd District. The new area has a majority of Black voters — 47.6%, compared to 45% who are white.
A three-judge panel reshaped the district that now includes places like Tuskegee, Montgomery and Mobile, giving Black voters the power to have a say over who is elected where they live.
Figures, who worked in the Obama administration, grew up in Mobile, which is partially included in the district. His late father, Michael Figures, was an Alabama state senator and his mother serves in that role now. The son’s win is critical in the Democrats’ efforts to regain control of the House.
“We feel like a lot of people want us to be a voice that’s going to go to Washington to actually, prioritize trying to fix some of the issues in their communities and trying to get funding to help address some of the issues in their communities,” Figures told NBC News ahead of the election.
Figures, 39, said he is happy to embrace the role of being an advocate for Black people in his state.
He told journalist Maya Rupert in an interview last month, “When you grow up Black, especially in Alabama, you learn pretty early the role that the federal government has played historically in making this state do right by Black people.
He added, “And that is something that always resonated with me, and was one of the motivating factors for me seeking out a career in the federal government.”
Figures will represent Alabama alongside Rep. Terri Sewell, also a Democrat. It will be the first time Alabama’s congressional delegation will be composed of two Black members.
Republicans have held the 2nd District since 1965, save for 2009-2011. Dobson, a real estate attorney, aimed to continue the Republican grip on the district, in the most expensive House race in state history, according to the Alabama Reflector.
Vice President Kamala Harris’ elevation to the top of the Democratic ticket in July, after President Joe Biden dropped out of the presidential race, bolstered enthusiasm about the new district , and Figures rode that wave, according to a political analysis. In August, he held a huge advantage — 51% to 39% — over Dobson. The gap narrowed as the race got closer, but Figures prevailed nonetheless.
“People are ready for the type of leadership that is going to pay attention to the communities, to the counties, to the populations of people who think they’ve been far too overlooked for far too long,” Figures said.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
