MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama voters are choosing congressional nominees Tuesday under a newly redrawn map that could put Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures’ seat—and the state’s recent gains in Black representation—at risk.
Figures made history in 2024 as one of two Black members elected to Alabama’s U.S. House delegation after a federal court required the state to create a second district where Black voters could elect their preferred candidate. Following a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Alabama restored a state-drawn map that shifts the 2nd District toward southeastern Alabama and reduces its Black voting-age population from roughly 48 percent to about 40 percent.
Six Republicans are competing for the nomination to challenge Figures in November, including state Rep. Rhett Marques, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Figures is unopposed for the Democratic nomination. The Associated Press reports that the outcome could affect the GOP’s narrow U.S. House majority and test how the weakened Voting Rights Act changes political power in the South.
The Alabama Secretary of State confirms that special congressional primaries are being held Aug. 11 in Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7. Alabama officials say there will be no runoff, so Tuesday’s vote will directly determine the party nominees.
