Democrats Daniels and Figures stress experience ahead of next week’s congressional runoff

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — The two Democrats running for Alabama’s newly redrawn congressional district stressed their experience — one at the federal level and one at the Alabama Legislature — in a debate that aired Tuesday night.

Shomari Figures, who served as deputy chief of staff and counselor to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, and state House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels will meet in a Tuesday runoff to decide the Democratic nomination for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District.

Democrats are hoping to flip the Deep South seat, which has been held by Republicans after it was redrawn by a federal court to give Black voters greater opportunity to elect a representative of their choice. A panel of federal judges ruled the state’s previous congressional map likely violated the Voting Rights Act. The judges said Alabama should have a second district where Black voters comprise a substantial part of the electorate.

The winner of the Democratic runoff will face the Republican nominee in the closely watched November general election. The Republican nomination is being decided in a runoff between former state senator Dick Brewbaker and attorney Caroleene Dobson. Republicans are aiming to keep the seat under GOP control.

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