Presidential nominee Harris may impact Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District election

MONTGOMERY, Ala. ( WIAT ) — A congressional race in Alabama continues as Election Day comes closer and closer.

Republican Caroleene Dobson will face off against Democratic Shomari Figures on Nov. 5 for the congressional seat in District 2. Both candidates say the atmosphere of their campaigns has changed since Vice President Kamala Harris became the official Democratic nominee for president.

“It’s been flat-out amazing,” Figures said. “We have seen a lot of people that are showing just a significant level of excitement about her in ways that we weren’t necessarily seeing.”

“If anything, it makes democrats — especially moderate democrats — in this district question even more who they’re going to vote for this fall,” Dobson said.

Figures says Harris has energized the ticket as a whole for voters.

“They’re inspired, they’re motivated, they’re encouraged, they’re wanting to be more active, more engaged, more involved, and we’re happy to see it and we’re happy to welcome them in,” said Figures.

However, Dobson said the news may cause voters to be inclined to switch sides in the congressional race.

“There’s a huge opportunity to pick up some moderate democratic voters that maybe have never voted Republican in their life, but do not align,” she said.

Political analyst Steve Flowers said Harris’ candidacy means a stronger turnout for Democrats at the ballot box.

“The top of the ticket dictates the down-battle races in a presidential year, so, it really does give a real inherent advantage to Shomari Figures in that race,” Flowers said. “I’m not saying [Dobson] can’t win, but it’s an uphill battle now.”

Voters can cast their vote for the seat when the general election takes place on Nov. 5.

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