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The results are in from yesterday’s primary and Shomari Figures will now compete in a runoff against House Minority Leader Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, as they seek to become the first to represent the newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District.
The runoff will be held on April 16 and the winner will have to face the victor of the Republican runoff between Caroleene Dobson and Dick Brewbaker.
Many eyes were on this race in particular due to the intrigue and uncertainty surrounding the Democratic primary. In the lead up to the primary one question was consistently asked of voters, “Do you care if a candidate lives within the district.” Given that Figures lives in the district and Daniels does not the primary results may indicate that factor playing a role.
As of results from the Secretary of State’s website Figures lead the pack obtaining 24,825 votes or 43.45 percent of votes. Daniels’ second place finish garnered him 22.36 percent of the vote totaling 12,774 votes. Figures also obtained more votes in Montgomery County despite Daniels working in the area as a legislator.
Although Figures lives in the district he also touts a resume working at the federal level. Figures worked on the campaign of former president Barack Obama and most recently was the Deputy Chief of Staff to Attorney General Merrick Garland.
Figures is also the son of Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, and former state senator Michael Figures. Michael died in 1996.
Daniels also has experience in government serving in the legislature since 2014 before becoming the House Minority Leader in 2017.
According to the Alabama Reflector both Daniels and Figures delivered statements regarding the primary results.
“When this district was drawn, we knew we had an opportunity to send experienced leadership to Washington so that the voices of those from Mobile to Montgomery and every county in between would finally be represented in Congress,” Figures said. “Tonight, voters across the 2nd district seized that opportunity, and we owe this to each person who cast a ballot, volunteered, and supported our campaign.”
In a statement from Daniels he said, “The results tonight show that people in the 2nd Congressional District want a representative that understands their communities and has a strong track record of delivering results.”
The victor of the runoff between Daniels and Figures will be favored to win in the November general election due to the district being redrawn in October to ensure Black voters maintain their voting power.
