Figures defends redrawn Alabama House seat in major victory for Democrats

Alabama Rep. Shomari Figures (D) is projected to win a second term on Capitol Hill in a major blow to the GOP, according to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ).

Figures defeated GOP state Rep. Rhett Marques for the red-leaning 2nd District seat in the Montgomery, Ala., area. Marques was the favorite to win after the Supreme Court reinstated a 2023 map this spring, redrawing the majority-Black district and giving Republicans an upper hand. DDHQ forecasted the seat was “likely” to flip.

Democrats across the country blasted the May decision, which came just days after the high court narrowed the landmark Voting Rights Act.

“I don’t view it as me paying the price, I view it as voters who I represent, and Black voters particularly, I think, paying the price because they are having a legitimate opportunity to have representation in Congress,” Figures told The Hill in June.

Marques notched endorsements from President Trump and House Republican leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson (La.).

His loss delivers a blow to Trump and the GOP after the party sought to cushion its margins in the lower chamber by redrawing House districts to favor it. A number of states, including Texas, Florida and Tennessee, were redistricted to boost the party ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Alabama’s district lines were changed due to a court decision in favor of maps established prior to the national redistricting war sparked by Trump. Still, Figures’s victory underscores Democratic enthusiasm amid Republicans’ souring approval.

The Democrat was first elected in 2024, and he previously worked in the Obama and Biden administrations. He currently serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Agriculture Committee.