How will the presidential election impact Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District?

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — The status of President Biden’s reelection campaign may be causing Alabama voters uncertainty when deciding on a new state representative.

Shomari Figures and Caroleene Dobson will face off in November for the Second Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Dobson believes the importance of this year’s presidential election will grab voters’ attention on other issues on the ballots, including the congressional race.

“I think we’re seeing that on the trail, folks that may have not been paying attention to this election cycle starting to perk up,” said Dobson.

Randy Kelley, chairman of the state Democratic Party, spoke on behalf of Figures. He says key issues from education, jobs and liveable wages remain important to voters. Both parties agree improving voter turnout matters.

“We have a lot of people who are oral traditional, social-centric,” Kelley said. “They’re people-oriented, so I think it’s going to take putting your feet in the street.”

“You need to be informed, and educated, and go vote,” said Dobson. “Fighting apathy is a huge part of our campaign, and getting folks excited and motivated to really make a change.”

Political analyst Steve Flowers said Dobson and Figures are outstanding nominees, but it will come down to the presidential race.

“The top of the ticket affects congressional races,” said Flowers. “So what’s happened in Alabama is the new district is indeed a national purple swing district.”

Figures and Dobson will be on the ballot when voters hit the polls in district two on Nov. 5.

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