Democrat nominee for Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District, Shomari Figures, received the endorsement of Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed at a press conference on Wednesday.

Speaking from the Alabama Democratic Party office in Montgomery, Reed explained his decision to support Figures in the race for the newly redrawn district.

“What we’ve seen is a leader who may be new to the scene but is not new to service,” said Reed. “He has shown a dedication to doing just that, in the Department of Justice and working in the Obama administration. So he understands exactly what’s at stake, from expanding healthcare access to protecting voting rights to ensuring our education system remains strong, creating jobs, helping us combat violence in our communities, and making sure that we look after our military, our veterans, those who have served in a very proactive way.”

“We believe we need someone who is ready to stand for the people of our great city, ready to stand for the people of this great district.”

Proud to endorse @ShomariFigures as we work together to build a brighter future for Montgomery and beyond! pic.twitter.com/6e1CT16XwP

— Mayor Steven L. Reed (@MayorofMgm) August 28, 2024

Figures, former Deputy Chief of Staff to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, said that he was honored to receive the endorsement and expressed his gratitude towards Reed for the show of support.

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Caroleene Dobson, Figures’ opponent in the upcoming November election, commented on Reed’s endorsement of his fellow Democrat: “I would like to congratulate Shomari Figures on the least surprising endorsement in the history of Alabama politics. It’s like Joe Biden endorsing Kamala Harris.”

The 2nd Congressional District includes Montgomery and runs from Mobile County across the southern Black Belt to the Georgia state line.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten