Alabama's newly drawn, majority-black second congressional district was supposed to be an easy layup for Democrats when it was initially created, but that race has been heating up lately.
U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, a committee dedicated to electing Republicans to the United States House of Representatives, told Punchbowl News that he feels the Republican nominee, Caroleene Dobson, has a good shot at beating Democrat Shomari Figures in the race for AL-2.
“They drew it for a Democrat, but they got a fairly weak Democrat,” Hudson told Punchbowl News. “Caroleene Dobson’s really impressive.”
Hudson's support for Dobson comes on the heels of U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) endorsing the second district GOP nominee.
According to the outlet, the North Carolina Republican said that “if only a few” of the district’s black voters back Dobson, then Republicans can make that race competitive.
In the second quarter of 2024, Dobson raised $527,230.64, compared to Figures, who raised $475,879.12.
According to the Federal Elections Commission, Figures had $301,948.01 cash on hand at the end of June, and Dobson had $471,813.59 available. Figures has loaned his campaign $25,000. Dobson’s loans to her campaign total almost $1.4 million.
While speaking with Punchbowl News, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesman Justin Chermol expressed his confidence in Figures' ability to win and “restore fair representation to his home district.”
“Is anyone surprised Richard Hudson wants another abortion banning, Project 2025 loving, Freedom Caucus wannabe to join the GOP Conference?” Chermol told the outlet.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.
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