Barack Obama records a message for Shomari Figures in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District

Former US President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate US Vice President Kamala Harris at James R Hallford Stadium on October 24, 2024 in Clarkston, Georgia. The former president recorded a message for Shomari Figures in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, calling on voters to “take charge of change again.” (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Former President Barack Obama recorded a message encouraging voters in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District to support Shomari Figures’ Democratic 2nd Congressional District nominee, citing the state’s civil rights record and saying they should “take the lead again” would take for change.”

The Figures campaign said in a statement that Obama called on voters to “once again lead the charge for change.”

“Alabama, you led the way in securing voting rights and civil rights for everyone in America, making trips like mine possible,” Obama said.

Figures, who served in the Obama administration as domestic director of presidential personnel and later at the U.S. Department of Justice under President Joe Biden, expressed gratitude for the support in the statement.

“His humility, integrity, decency and historic leadership continue to inspire millions around the world, and I’m grateful that he gave a kid from Mobile, Alabama the opportunity to become a playing a small role in such a historic and productive chapter in the American story,” Figures said in a statement.

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The 2nd Congressional District extends from Mobile County through the southern Black Belt and Montgomery to the Georgia border. Last year, a federal court approved a new congressional map for Alabama, making the 7th Congressional District a Black-majority district, as it has been since 1992, and the 2nd District a nearly Black-majority district.

The court found that voting in Alabama was racially polarized, with white Alabamians tending to support Republicans and black Alabamians tending to support Democrats. The court labeled the 2nd Congressional District, with a population of nearly 49% black voting age, as an “opportunity district” that gives black voters the chance to choose their preferred candidates.

Figures will face Republican candidate Caroleene Dobson in the race.

With a deeply divided U.S. House, the outcome of the election could help change control of the chamber. Figures’ campaign has captured the attention of state and national Democrats. Minority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives Hakeem Jeffries; former Attorney General Eric Holder and Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, all campaigned in the district this week. Got numbers a speech at the Democratic National Convention in August, where he appeared the same night Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the party’s nomination for president.

If Figures wins the election and Sewell is re-elected, Alabama will have two black representatives in Congress at the same time for the first time in history. The state sent three black men to the U.S. House: Benjamin Turner; James Rapier and Jeremiah Haralson – between 1871 and 1877, but each served in the chamber at different times. Three other Black Alabamians have served in the House since 1993: Earl Hilliard; Artur Davis and Sewell – but all came from the 7th Congressional District and succeeded each other.

“’By sending Shomari Figures to Congress, you have someone committed to improvement economic and healthcare outcomes for all. I know this because Shomari served in my administration and helped implement policies to make life better for all Americans,” Obama said.

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