Both Democrat runoff opponents competing for their party's second congressional district nomination appeared on this week's broadcast of Alabama Public Television's "Capitol Journal," and both had a similar attack.
Both say the other claims a geographic association with the second congressional district out of political opportunism.
According to House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels (D-Huntsville), he claims an established presence in the district and says his opponent Shomari Figures only established one on the heels of the release of the federal court-drawn congressional map.
"I respond by saying I pay taxes in Alabama," Daniels explained to "Capitol Journal" host Todd Stacy. "I have a home here in Montgomery. As the minority leader, I'm in Montgomery more than I am in Huntsville. And so, at the end of the day, the voters want someone who can deliver for the district, not someone who just moved to the district in October, registered to vote in the district on November 3 and is still paying taxes and owning a home outside the district and is renting in the district."
"I know my opponent is behind those attacks, he and his team," he added. "But he has to explain why he took $2 million from a cryptocurrency PAC and what are their interests. You know, you moved here in October. You register to vote in November, then you get $2 million from an outside group that you are responsible for regulating? I don't know about that."
During his segment, Figures was quick to remind viewers of Daniels' representation of Huntsville in the Alabama House of Representatives and suggested Daniels' Madison County ties may result in split loyalties.
"[I] think something else that also is resonating with voters in this district, now that we're down to two candidates, is sort of the stark difference in the geographical locations of the remaining candidates in the race — myself being in the district, from the district, raised in the district, living in the district," Figures said. "And Mr. Daniels being in Huntsville, which is obviously not in the district, hundreds of miles away from the district. Voters care about that because they need to know the candidate they're sending the candidate they're sending to Washington, D.C. is going to prioritize the cities and towns in this district and not have to worry about resources going to other parts of the state."
"And so, we continue to take that message to voters — on doorsteps, on phones and pushing out as much communication and engaging with as many voters as we possibly can and it still resonates," he added.
Jeff Poor is the editor in chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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