Democrat Shomari Figures wins Alabamas newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District [Video]

MOBILE, Ala. (WSFA) – Democrats will pick up a much needed seat on their quest to take back control of the U.S. House, and it’s in Alabama.

Shomari Figures quickly declared victory to supporters at his campaign watch party in Mobile Tuesday night, shortly after Republican candidate Caroleene Dobson conceded the race around 10:30 p.m. The Associated Press called the race for Figures about 30 minutes later.

District 2 was once a reliably Republican seat, but a court ordered the district redrawn to provide minorities the opportunity to select a candidate of their choosing.

With Figures’ win, Democrats pick up a seat in the closely divided U.S. House. It also means that Alabama’s congressional delegation of seven representatives will include two Democrats and five Republicans.

Figures, an attorney, is a former top aide to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Following his win, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released this statement: