Alabama’s 2nd district: Figures doubles amount raised by Dobson in third quarter

Democratic congressional candidate Shomari Figures outperformed Republican Caroleene Dobson in fundraising during the third quarter, nearly doubling her contributions, according to campaign finance reports filed Thursday with the Federal Election Commission.

Figures, a former deputy chief of staff and counselor to Attorney General Merrick Garland, raised close to $1.1 million, which his campaign claims may set a record for a Democratic congressional candidate in Alabama for a single quarter. In contrast, Dobson, a real estate attorney from Montgomery, raised $558,226 during the same period.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support our campaign has received from people across the state,” Figures stated. “The over $1 million raised reflects an investment from those ready to protect Social Security, expand healthcare access, and elect someone who will prioritize this District and tackle our pressing issues.”

The funds Figures raised from July 1 to September 30 accounted for 55% of his total contributions of $1.9 million since the campaign began. In comparison, Dobson’s third-quarter fundraising represented 41% of her overall $1.4 million haul.

Both campaigns benefited from outside spending, particularly from political action committees affiliated with their respective parties. Figures received over $661,000 from ActBlue, a Democratic funding group, while Dobson received more than $196,000 from WinRed, a PAC that supports Republican candidates nationwide. Dobson also loaned her campaign $295,000 during the third quarter, raising her campaign total to $1.7 million.

The latest FEC figures have fueled criticisms exchanged during last week’s AL.com debate. Dobson highlighted Figures as an “outsider” funded by D.C.-based interests, while Figures's camp criticized Dobson for her significant personal loans to her campaign, suggesting she is disconnected from the rural and economically challenged constituents of the district.

“Much of Figures’ fundraising comes from places like Massachusetts and California, where their extreme liberal beliefs clash with the values of Alabamians,” claimed Drew Dickson, a spokesperson for Dobson. “He’s a puppet for out-of-state donors who do not represent Alabama’s interests.”

Figures, who identifies as a resident of Mobile, was also accused by Dobson of being a “billionaire,” a claim he made during the debate. Dobson's net worth is estimated between $700,000 and $1.8 million, with some business interests listed as “undetermined.”

Sheena Gamble, a spokesperson for the Alabama Democratic Party, countered that FEC data paints a different picture of Dobson than she presents in her campaign. “While she portrays herself as a simple farm girl, most don’t loan $1.7 million to their own campaigns,” Gamble said.

In response, the Dobson campaign argued that Figures's net worth “dwarfs” hers, and he lives an “elite lifestyle” in the D.C. suburbs, with his wealth estimated between $1.93 million and $6.9 million.

As both campaigns head into the final month before the election, Figures closed September with $745,216 in cash on hand, while Dobson had $491,765.

Jon Gray, a Republican strategist, noted that despite Figures’s fundraising edge, the race remains competitive. He pointed to turnout as a crucial factor that could benefit Dobson if it mirrors the 2022 election trends, where white voters made up over 53% of the electorate in the 2nd congressional district.

“Dobson is not the front-runner, but she’s still very much in the race,” Gray stated. 

Another variable in the election could be the presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Recent polling has shown Trump gaining traction in key battleground states, which could influence voter sentiment down ballot.

National analysts generally view the race as leaning toward Figures, with outlets like Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball labeling the 2nd congressional district as “likely Democratic.”

Figures acknowledged the challenges ahead, saying, “We’re thankful for the financial support, but we know this is a tough race, and we must continue working hard until the polls close on November 5th.”