Caroleene Dobson Outspends Shomari Figures 3 to 1 in Alabama's 2nd District Race

The Democratic and Republican candidates in Alabama’s redrawn 2nd Congressional District have raised similar amounts in campaign contributions, but Republican Caroleene Dobson has outspent Democrat Shomari Figures by a 3 to 1 margin in the race.

Dobson, a Montgomery lawyer, has spent $1.73 million so far, according to her quarterly report filed with the Federal Election Commission, which covered April through June.

Figures, a lawyer and former Obama administration and U.S. Justice Department official from Mobile, has spent $583,724 according to his quarterly report.

Both are first-time candidates in a closely watched race. A federal court redrew Alabama’s congressional map after ruling that the previous map likely violated the Voting Rights Act.

The new map changed the 2nd District from a Republican stronghold to one where Democrats can win. Dobson and Figures defeated crowded fields to win the nominations and advance to the Nov. 5 general election.

Dobson has sought to make President Joe Biden’s performance in a debate with Donald Trump in June an issue in the congressional race. During the last quarter, Dobson raised $545,038 in contributions, while Figures raised $475,879.

Figures has received more contributions during the entire campaign - $863,022 to $780,569 for Dobson.

Of the contributions to Figures, $629,637 came from individuals and $235,650 came from political committees.

Dobson has received $586,390 from individuals and $190,000 from political committees.

Dobson has loaned or guaranteed loans to her campaign totaling $1.385 million so far. Figures have loaned his campaign $25,000.

In a press release, Dobson said her fundraising shows that voters support her conservative positions.

“The citizens of Alabama’s Second Congressional District need a representative who will stop runaway inflation and sticker shock in the grocery aisles, end the flood of illegal immigration at our borders, and join the fight against crime and violence in our cities, streets, and neighborhoods,” Dobson said.

The Dobson campaign said about two-thirds of her contributions came from inside the state or district.

Political committees that gave to Dobson’s campaign include those led by Alabama Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana, and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of New York, chair of the House Republican Conference.

Dobson, who grew up on her family’s cattle farm in Monroe County, part of the 2nd District, received a contribution and endorsement from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

The Value In Electing Women Political Action Committee, or VIEWPAC, which promotes GOP women candidates, contributed to Dobson’s campaign.