Congresswoman Jasmin Crockett and Terri Sewell of Alabama

By Jacob Holmes, Alabama Political Reporters

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Alabama, was joined by U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, Sunday in Montgomery to urge women voters to support Shomari Figures in the race for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District.

The congressmembers were joined by attorney Tamika Reed, wife of Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, and Kalisha Figures, wife of Shomari Figures, to round out the “Women for Figures” panel at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church.

After a legal battle over the percentage of Black citizens in the district, a federal court redrew the map to give Black voters a better opportunity to elect the candidate of their choice. This has created the only competitive congressional race in the state between Figures and the Republican nominee Caroleene Dobson.

Crockett urged that if Kamala Harris wins the presidency, she will need Democratic control of the House and Senate to bring her policies to reality.

“I need better co-workers,” Crockett said. “I need people that actually want to work for the people. Right now, this has been the most unproductive Congress in the history of Congress.”
Sewell emphasized the roles of Montgomery and Selma in the Civil Rights movement and said the new district needs to help continue that trend of making progress.
“It’s high time that we get more representation, fairer representation in Alabama, in Congress,” Sewell said. “So I am thrilled I didn’t have to be bludgeoned on a bridge. I just had to give up Montgomery County for progress, and progress we will have if you go to the polls.”

The panel emphasized the future of abortion rights. The U.S. Supreme Court rolled back a federal right to abortion access in its landmark Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health in a major victory for Republicans.

”You don’t have to be pro-choice,” Crockett said. “You can do whatever you want to with your uterus or the fact you don’t even have one. We’re not asking you to agree.”

Kalisha Figures said childbirth is scary and noted the travel times to hospitals that deliver babies for rural Alabamians.
“I have three times given birth,” she said. “It is scary, on face value, if you are healthy and well. It is scary. So to not have access to that care, to have to drive 60, 90 minutes in labor to get care, these are the issues we’re talking about when we talk about the state of women, right in Alabama, in this district.”

Former AG Eric Holder also visits Alabama to campaign for Shomari Figures

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder arrived in Mobile to bolster Shomari Figures’ campaign for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District. Holder, known nationally for his advocacy on voting rights and redistricting fairness, emphasized the importance of this election in the broader movement to protect democracy and ensure equitable representation.

Holder’s support for Figures underscores the high stakes of this congressional race, which has garnered attention for its potential impact on state and national redistricting debates. As the first African American U.S. Attorney General, Holder has been a pivotal voice against gerrymandering through his work with the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), where he has actively campaigned to secure fair elections across the nation. His presence in Alabama signals the importance of securing fair representation in regions where voting rights have been an ongoing battle.

The day’s events began at 2:50 p.m. with a press conference at Figures’ campaign headquarters on Government Street. Holder then visited Great Day Latte on S. Conception Street, showcasing support for local businesses. The evening continues with Holder joining Figures at a campaign phone bank back at headquarters before a Get Out the Vote (GOTV) rally at 6 p.m. at Big Zion A.M.E. Zion Church on S. Bayou Street. This rally will be a key event as Holder and Figures emphasize their shared commitment to a just political system that champions voting rights.

Holder’s visit comes at a time when Alabamians are increasingly engaged in discussions around voting rights and political representation. His alignment with Figures not only strengthens the candidate’s platform but also reinforces the national focus on the significance of fair elections and civil rights advocacy.