Shomari Figures (D) defeated Anthony Daniels (D) in the Democratic primary runoff in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District on April 16, 2024. Figures received 61.0% of the vote to Daniels’ 39.0%. Figures and Daniels were the top two finishers in the 11-candidate primary on March 5, 2024. The two advanced to a runoff because neither received more than 50% of the vote.
The primary runoff took place in the context of court-ordered redistricting. In October 2023, a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama approved a new congressional district map for Alabama after federal courts found two previous redistricting efforts violated the Voting Rights Act. The October 2023 map redrew the 2nd District to have a 48.7% Black voting-age population, which political commentators said would tilt it towards Democrats. Incumbent Barry Moore (R) ran for re-election in the 1st District, leaving the 2nd District open.
Figures was a former federal official who had worked in the Obama administration, the U.S. Congress, and as counselor to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. Figures said his parents, both of whom served in the state legislature, inspired him to run. Figures said he wanted to improve the economic situation in Alabama. He said his federal government experience would help him deliver results. Figures said he was the only candidate who lived in the district: “one thing that was clear in this last election is how strong allegiances are within this district…we had several candidates, including state Rep. Daniels, who do not live in the district.”
Daniels was, at the time of the election, the minority leader of the Alabama House of Representatives. Daniels said he had a record of delivering results as minority leader that set him apart. Daniels said his record included working with Republicans in the legislative majority to pass a bill exempting overtime pay from state income tax. Daniels said he was inspired to run by the opportunity to represent rural Alabamians like his grandparents. Daniels said he was “the only candidate remaining not bought and paid for by outside special interests that do not represent the people of the second congressional district.”
Figures received 43.5% of the vote and Daniels received 22.4% in the March 5 primary.
As of April 16, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales, and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball each rated the general election Likely Democratic.
