Alabama 2nd District Candidates to Debate Live in October: Key Issues to Watch

Democratic candidate Shomari Figures and Republican Caroleene Dobson will face off in a live online debate this October. The debate will be streamed on various news platforms, including their Facebook and YouTube channels.

Shomari Figures' campaign expressed anticipation for the October 10 debate, stating, “The people of District 2 deserve to hear from the candidates who aim to represent them.”

Caroleene Dobson, however, criticized Figures' support of policies she claims have led to higher prices and increased drug trafficking, blaming lax immigration laws under the Biden administration. “Voters in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District have a choice between two very different candidates,” Dobson said. “I look forward to sharing my vision for our district and our nation.”

The debate will be moderated by Ivana Hrynkiw, a journalist from news. While candidates will be informed about the debate topics beforehand, they won’t receive specific questions. Online participants may also ask questions during the event.

Hollis R. Towns, editor-in-chief of news, emphasized the importance of this debate, saying, “This is a key opportunity for Alabamians to hear unfiltered perspectives from the candidates, showcasing how news provides reliable information.”

The debate is sponsored by AARP Alabama, a major nonprofit organization focused on empowering people aged 50 and older. AARP supports initiatives that benefit health, financial security, and personal fulfillment for Americans.

The debate will address critical issues for voters in the 2nd congressional district, highlighting two candidates who are both running for political office for the first time.

Shomari Figures, 39, is a Mobile native and attorney with experience in the Obama administration and the Justice Department under President Biden. Caroleene Dobson, 37, is an attorney from Montgomery, originally from Monroe County.

This race is unique as it represents a rare competitive general election between a Democrat and a Republican for a congressional seat in Alabama. The district was redrawn by a federal court after it found that Alabama’s previous congressional map likely violated the Voting Rights Act by concentrating too many Black voters into a single district.

The newly redrawn 2nd District, which now spans 13 counties from Phenix City to Mobile, is about 50% Black, offering Democrats a real chance to flip the seat and potentially add a second Democrat to Alabama’s U.S. House delegation.

Both national Democratic and Republican parties are closely involved, with the stakes being high in this tight race. Currently, Republicans hold a narrow 218 to 213 majority in Congress, making the outcome of this race significant.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has made the Alabama contest a priority, listing Dobson among 26 Republicans in its “Young Gun” program, which provides support for candidates. Meanwhile, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has included the Alabama race in its “Red to Blue” program, aiming to flip the seat for the first time in 18 years.