REPLACING:
Barry Moore (R)[i]
WORK HISTORY:
U.S. Department of Justice (Deputy Chief of Staff for Attorney General Merrick Garland); President-Elect Joe Biden Transition Team (Member); Office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (Legislative Counsel); U.S. Department of Justice (White House Liaison for Attorney General Loretta Lynch); White House Office of Presidential Personnel (Domestic Director); Obama for America (Field Organizer); Office of Eastern District of Missouri Judge Nannette A. Baker (Law Clerk)[ii] [iii] [iv] [v]
EDUCATION:
JD, University of Alabama School of Law; BA, University of Alabama; Diploma, John L. LeFlore Magnet High School of Advanced Communication & Fine Arts
CAMPAIGNED ON:
Access to Healthcare; Investing in Education & Our Educators; Jobs, Opportunity & Building an Economy for the Future; Combating Gun Violence & Building Safer, Stronger Communities[vi]
ON THE ISSUES
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS:
Figures supports reproductive rights and believes every patient should be able to make their own healthcare decisions “on their own, for their own futures.”[vii] He has cited Alabama’s high maternal mortality rates as a reason to secure access to contraception and keep the Affordable Care Act in place to provide coverage for birth control.[viii] In Congress, he would vote to codify Roe v. Wade.[ix]
IMMIGRATION & BORDER SECURITY:
Figures believes illegal immigration is one of the greatest security threats facing the United States.[x] He has advocated for immigration reform “grounded in facts” with a focus on addressing the root causes of illegal immigration, as well as increasing resources for border patrol agents.[xi] [xii]
ECONOMY & JOBS:
According to his campaign website, Figures will work to ensure every person in his district “has the ability to earn a good wage and get ahead” by investing in small businesses, expanding access to affordable childcare, and “bridging the digital divide” to stimulate economic growth, technological advancement, and expand access to financial services.[xiii] He supports increasing the minimum wage, expanding broadband and internet services, partnering with colleges and universities to grow workforce development programs, providing small businesses with equitable access to capital, and ensuring a fair regulatory environment that is transparent to both businesses and consumers.[xiv] [xv] Figures also supports embracing cryptocurrency and would work to develop a framework for “reasonable regulation” of digital currency.[xvi] Notably, he signed onto a July 2024 letter that encouraged then-Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris to select a “pro-innovation” SEC chair and a vice presidential candidate “sophisticated in digital asset policy.”[xvii]
TAXES:
Figures has advocated for supporting small businesses through “targeted tax incentives.”[xviii] Regarding the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, Figures stated, “there were provisions in that tax policy that benefited businesses, that businesses were able to take advantage of, especially during COVID.”[xix] He also supports eliminating the federal income tax on tip wages.[xx]
CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY:
Figures believes everyone in his district deserves to feel safe. In Congress, he will work to advance a “holistic” approach to addressing gun violence, enact “sensible” criminal justice and prison reform that allows formerly incarcerated individuals “the ability to successfully rejoin society,” and improve relations between communities and police.[xxi]
CLIMATE CHANGE, ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT:
Figures believes in climate change and has said he would listen to experts on the matter.[xxii] He has pledged to fight for infrastructure investments that protect Alabama’s environment, particularly the Mobile Bay ecosystem. Figures would also push for policies that address climate change and promote environmental justice.[xxiii] [xxiv]
FOREIGN POLICY:
Figures believes that terrorist attacks pose the greatest threat to U.S. national security.[xxv] He has supported Israel in its war against Hamas, arguing that Israel has the “right to defend itself and mitigate the threat, and do everything it could to secure the release of the hostages that were taken, do everything that it could to remain sure” that a similar attack can never happen again.[xxvi] He believes the United States should continue to “lead the global effort to ensure its security and a long-term peace in the region.”[xxvii] Figures has argued that Israel’s security “is paramount to the United States’ security…because we have mutual threats.”[xxviii] He has said that understanding the “geopolitical factors” of global conflicts would be his first step in working towards addressing the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as the potential for conflict in Taiwan. Figures also said U.S. allies should continue to be supported against countries he named as “bad actors,” including Iran, Russia, and North Korea.[xxix]
HEALTHCARE & SOCIAL SAFETY NET:
Figures has said poor access to healthcare is a key issue in his district and would like to “build on the legacy of the Affordable Care Act.”[xxx] [xxxi] He has advocated for healthcare policies that prioritize expanding access, affordability, and quality of care – especially in rural areas.[xxxii] He would like to see Alabama expand Medicaid and supports federal legislation that would offer the state the same deal it had previously rejected during the Obama administration – 100% federal funding of expanded Medicaid for the first three years.[xxxiii] [xxxiv] He has also called for increased funding for community health centers.[xxxv] [xxxvi] In Congress, Figures will work to address healthcare disparities, including Alabama’s “maternal health crisis that disproportionately impacts Black mothers and infants.”[xxxvii]
DEMOCRACY:
Figures will fight to protect and expand voting rights.[xxxviii] He criticized a new Republican-backed law in Alabama that made it a crime to pay someone or to receive payment for helping another person obtain, fill out, or hand in an absentee ballot application, saying it was part of an effort “to suppress the vote.”[xxxix]
SOCIAL ISSUES:
Figures has pledged to support legislation “that protects every person in Alabama from discrimination, so that we all have an equal opportunity to thrive.”[xl] He believes LGBTQ+ Americans should not be treated differently, arguing they “deserve to be able to live in a country where they can be happy, where they can have the same pursuit of happiness and the same rights and privileges without fear of being fired or terminated or expelled.”[xli]
[i] “AP Race Call: Democrat Shomari Figures elected to U.S. House in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District,” Associated Press, November 6, 2024, available at https://apnews.com/article/democrat-shomari-figures-alabama-ac32f82bc936ad057b29c32d32800a88.
[ii] Roy S. Johnson, “Member of Figures political family exploring congressional District 2 race; which one?,” Alabama Media Group, October 24, 2023, available at https://www.al.com/news/2023/10/member-of-figures-political-family-exploring-congressional-district-2-race-which-one.html.
[iii] Samuel P. Jacobs, “For Obama’s second inauguration, a subdued, less crowded Washington,” Reuters, January 7, 2013, available at https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-inauguration-idUSBRE9060UI20130107/.
[iv] “Shomari Figures: Serving the Nation,” Alabama Law (University of Alabama), December 9, 2016, available at https://law.ua.edu/shomari-figures-serving-the-nation/.
[v] Alexander Willis, “Figures in AL-2 race: ‘I know how government works,’” Alabama Daily News, January 4, 2024, available at https://aldailynews.com/figures-in-al-2-race-i-know-how-government-works/.
[vi] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[vii] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[viii] Jemma Stephenson, “Shomari Figures pledges reproductive rights protections at Montgomery event,” Alabama Reflector, October 24, 2024, available at https://alabamareflector.com/2024/10/24/shomari-figures-pledges-reproductive-rights-protections-at-montgomery-event/.
[ix] Jemma Stephenson, “2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures wants to build up communities,” Alabama Reflector, April 10, 2024, available at https://alabamareflector.com/2024/04/10/2nd-congressional-district-shomari-figures-wants-to-build-up-communities/.
[x] Alexander Willis, “Dobson, Figures offer differing views on national security threats, solutions,” Alabama Daily News, October 30, 2024, available at https://aldailynews.com/dobson-figures-offer-differing-views-on-national-security-threats-solutions/.
[xi] Alander Rocha, “Figures, Dobson offer contrasting visions for 2nd Congressional District in debate,” Alabama Reflector, October 11, 2024, available at https://alabamareflector.com/2024/10/11/figures-dobson-offer-contrasting-visions-for-2nd-congressional-district-in-debate/.
[xii] Alexander Willis, “Dobson, Figures offer differing views on national security threats, solutions,” Alabama Daily News, October 30, 2024, available at https://aldailynews.com/dobson-figures-offer-differing-views-on-national-security-threats-solutions/.
[xiii] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[xiv] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[xv] John Sharp, “The No. 1 issue: How Figures, Dobson view the economy in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District,” Alabama Media Group, October 13, 2024, available at https://www.al.com/news/2024/10/the-no1-issue-how-figures-dobson-view-the-economy-in-alabamas-2nd-congressional-district.html.
[xvi] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[xvii] Chance Phillips, “Shomari Figures asks DNC to go easy on crypto,” Alabama Political Reporter, July 29, 2024, available at https://www.alreporter.com/2024/07/29/shomari-figures-asks-dnc-to-go-easy-on-crypto/.
[xviii] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[xix] Yaffee, “Shomari Figures defends $1.5 million home in Washington, D.C. during debate,” Yellow Hammer, October 25, 2024, available at https://yellowhammernews.com/shomari-figures-defends-1-5-million-home-in-washington-d-c-during-debate/.
[xx] John Sharp, “The No. 1 issue: How Figures, Dobson view the economy in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District,” Alabama Media Group, October 13, 2024, available at https://www.al.com/news/2024/10/the-no1-issue-how-figures-dobson-view-the-economy-in-alabamas-2nd-congressional-district.html.
[xxi] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[xxii] Jemma Stephenson, “2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures wants to build up communities,” Alabama Reflector, April 10, 2024, available at https://alabamareflector.com/2024/04/10/2nd-congressional-district-shomari-figures-wants-to-build-up-communities/.
[xxiii] “U.S. House, AL-2: Shomari Figures,” GiveGreen, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.givegreen.com/candidates/shomari-figures.
[xxiv] Wyatt Myskow, Dennis Pillion, Georgina Gustin & Phil McKenna, “Despite Likely Setback for Climate Action With This Year’s Election, New Climate Champions Set to Enter Congress,” Inside Climate News, November 9, 2024, available at https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09112024/climate-champions-set-to-enter-congress/.
[xxv] Alexander Willis, “Dobson, Figures offer differing views on national security threats, solutions,” Alabama Daily News, October 30, 2024, available at https://aldailynews.com/dobson-figures-offer-differing-views-on-national-security-threats-solutions/.
[xxvi] Marc Rod, “Shomari Figures joins pro-Israel chorus in packed Alabama Democratic primary field,” Jewish Insider, February 27, 2024, available at https://jewishinsider.com/2024/02/shomari-figures-alabama-2nd-congressional-district-democratic-primary/.
[xxvii] Shomari Figures X, October 7, 2024, available at https://x.com/ShomariFigures/status/1843357512617087220.
[xxviii] Marc Rod, “Shomari Figures joins pro-Israel chorus in packed Alabama Democratic primary field,” Jewish Insider, February 27, 2024, available at https://jewishinsider.com/2024/02/shomari-figures-alabama-2nd-congressional-district-democratic-primary/.
[xxix] Alexander Willis, “Dobson, Figures offer differing views on national security threats, solutions,” Alabama Daily News, October 30, 2024, available at https://aldailynews.com/dobson-figures-offer-differing-views-on-national-security-threats-solutions/.
[xxx] Alander Rocha, “2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures wants to leverage federal experience,” Alabama Reflector, February 2, 2024, available at https://alabamareflector.com/2024/02/02/2nd-congressional-district-shomari-figures-wants-to-leverage-federal-experience/.
[xxxi] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[xxxii] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[xxxiii] Alander Rocha, “2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures wants to leverage federal experience,” Alabama Reflector, February 2, 2024, available at https://alabamareflector.com/2024/02/02/2nd-congressional-district-shomari-figures-wants-to-leverage-federal-experience/.
[xxxiv] Brendan Kirby, “Candidates for hotly contested Alabama congressional seats make closing arguments,” Fox 10 News, November 4, 2024, available at https://www.fox10tv.com/2024/11/04/candidates-hotly-contested-alabama-congressional-seats-make-closing-arguments/.
[xxxv] Alander Rocha, “2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures wants to leverage federal experience,” Alabama Reflector, February 2, 2024, available at https://alabamareflector.com/2024/02/02/2nd-congressional-district-shomari-figures-wants-to-leverage-federal-experience/.
[xxxvi] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[xxxvii] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[xxxviii] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[xxxix] Mike Cason, “Suppressing the vote or protecting Alabama election integrity? Figures, Allen differ on GOP initiatives,” Alabama Media Group, October 1, 2024, available at https://www.al.com/news/2024/10/suppressing-vote-or-protecting-alabama-election-integrity-figures-allen-differ-on-gop-initiatives.html.
[xl] “On the Issues,” Figures for Congress, accessed November 2, 2024, available at https://www.figuresforcongress.com/issues.
[xli] Jemma Stephenson, “2nd Congressional District: Shomari Figures wants to build up communities,” Alabama Reflector, April 10, 2024, available at https://alabamareflector.com/2024/04/10/2nd-congressional-district-shomari-figures-wants-to-build-up-communities/.
