Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder emphasized the significance of next week’s election for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District during a campaign event in Mobile, where he supported Democratic nominee Shomari Figures. Holder, chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, highlighted the recent redrawing of the district, which now allows Black voters to play a more substantial role in the election outcome.
Speaking at the historic Big Zion AME Zion Church, Holder urged voters to honor the legacy of the civil rights movement by participating in the election. He described Figures as a champion for justice, fairness, and equality, invoking Martin Luther King Jr.’s idea that the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice.
Figures, who has experience in the Obama administration and as an aide to Attorney General Merrick Garland, is running against Republican newcomer Caroleene Dobson. Both campaigns acknowledge the competitiveness of the race, which is crucial for control of the House of Representatives. The Cook Political Report currently classifies the district as “likely Democrat,” yet both sides stress the importance of voter turnout.
In the backdrop of the legal battles surrounding the district’s boundaries, Holder mentioned ongoing litigation aimed at confirming the new district lines after a Supreme Court ruling found Alabama likely violated the Voting Rights Act. He expressed hope that Alabama officials would accept the new boundaries, reflecting on the historical resistance to voting rights in the state.