Shomari Figures wins re-election in AL-02, overcoming Republican gerrymander

U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Montgomery, won reelection Tuesday to Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, defeating Alabama Rep. Rhett Marques, R-Enterprise and overcoming a legislative gerrymander meant to favor a Republican candidate.

According to the Associated Press, as of 9:55 p.m., Figures had over 125,000 votes (55%). Marques had over 105,000 votes (45%). Marques conceded in the race Tuesday night.

The victory was a rebuke to the GOP-dominated Legislature’s move in May, at the behest of President Donald Trump, to redraw the state’s congressional maps after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act in its Louisiana v. Callais decision. Following a special session of the Legislature this spring and a Supreme Court order, Alabama’s 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th Congressional Districts were altered, allowing the state to use a 2023 Legislature-approved congressional map instead.

The new map reduced the Black Voting Age Population in the district from about 49% to just under 40% and was widely considered to be a GOP pick-up.

Addressing a crowd of at least 100 people Tuesday night, Figures said “we had the deck stacked against us.”

“I stood in a Senate committee hearing room that bears my father’s name, and I pleaded with the state legislature to not do what they ultimately did,” he said. “And we know what they did, but as anyone who has ever been part of a sibling relationship knows, that at some point, someday, whether by deed or by action, you make the point that we ain’t kids anymore. … And Montgomery tonight, we made that point loud.”

Figures ran on affordability issues as well as improving access to healthcare. He cited his work in Congress to keep Jackson Hospital in Montgomery open and a bill that would cover the full cost of higher education tuition, fees and books and job training opportunities for the dependents of educators, first responders and social workers who have at least 20 years of qualifying service.

Figures also tapped into Democratic anger over the U.S. Supreme Court’s Callais decision, weakening the Voting Rights Act, and subsequent redistricting, which drove Black turnout around the South.

Marques ran on affordability, pledging to lower taxes and create safe communities while touting his endorsement from President Donald Trump, promising to be an ally of the president if elected. 

Marques said in a statement Tuesday night while the results aren’t what he hoped for, “we are proud of the campaign we ran on Alabama common sense.”

“Alabama values will always be worth fighting for, and Christina and I are deeply grateful to everyone who supported, prayed for and worked alongside us throughout this campaign,” the statement said.

The two candidates traded barbs throughout the election. Figures attacked Marques’ vote to raise the gas tax in the state as part of the Rebuild Alabama Act, which had broad support in the Legislature, and criticized his ties to Trump telling al.com that “he’s in trouble because gas is high and he’s part of the reason why.”

Marques criticized Figures for voting against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and taking money from out-of-state donors. 

Both candidates received outside money during the race, according to federal campaign finance records. Marques received nearly $4.9 million from political action committees and Figures received more than $1.9 million from PACs.

In a statement last year following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, Figures said he voted against it because it was “nothing more than a handout for the rich” and “if we are going to spend more money, it should be to help Americans across the country keep a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs, and food on their tables.”

According to federal campaign finance reports, Figures raised $2.7 million and spent $1.5 million through Oct. 14. Marques raised $1.7 milion and spent $1.5 million through Oct. 14.

Andrea Tinker writes for Alabama Reflector, a nonprofit newsroom based in Montgomery.