Shomari Figures on 5 key issues: Social Security, school choice, data centers

U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures is hitting the campaign trail as he works to secure his reelection. The Democratic incumbent, who was elected in 2024, recently held a town hall alongside Rep. Terri Sewell to engage with residents and outline his vision for the 2nd Congressional District.

The visit comes as local communities are increasingly vocal about regional development projects, specifically local opposition to a proposed data center. Addressing a crowd of about 120 people in Lowndes County, Figures emphasized the importance of representation, stating, "If representation did not matter, you would not have a group of people here to listen and hear about your concerns."

Primary Outlook

As Figures looks toward November, Republicans are preparing for a special primary on Aug. 11 to determine his opponent for the upcoming general election.

Education and School Choice

During the event, Figures addressed the state's teacher shortage—which saw 3,413 unfilled positions last year—by advocating for continued federal funding for K-12 and early childhood education.

Figures took a firm stance against the state's CHOOSE Act. Arguing that the policy could leave public schools with the most at-risk students, he contended that the $175 million currently earmarked for the program would be better utilized if invested in traditional public schools.

Economic Development and Data Centers

While Rep. Sewell has backed a national moratorium on data centers, Figures has taken a more targeted approach. He asked residents directly if they wanted the proposed facility in Hayneville; when the crowd responded in opposition, he stated, "Well, I’m with the people of Lowndes County."

Figures clarified that he is not opposed to all industrial growth, citing the $1.5 billion Google investment in North Alabama as a model for thoughtful development. He stressed that corporations should prioritize sites where local communities welcome the investment.

Healthcare and Social Safety Nets

Representing a district where many counties lack essential medical facilities, Figures highlighted the crisis facing rural providers. "I currently represent 13 counties. You can have a baby in two," he remarked, emphasizing the loss of hospitals and pediatric services across the Black Belt.

To combat this, he has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at boosting federal funding for hospitals. On the issue of federal entitlement programs, Figures and Sewell warned that current spending is depleting Social Security, pledging to fight for the protection of benefits for working-class citizens.

Figures also addressed the economic fallout of the 2025 "Big Beautiful Bill," noting that approximately 81,000 Alabamians have lost SNAP benefits. Defending his vote against the measure, he argued that the legislation's tax cuts did not justify the resulting reductions in Medicaid and other vital services.