According to the latest filings with the Federal Elections Committee, Democrat Shomari Figures significantly out-fundraised his opponent Republican Caroleene Dobson in the third filing period. The two candidates are running to represent Alabama’s recently redrawn 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Per both campaigns’ Oct. 15 filings, Figures raised $1,062,417.40 between July and October while Dobson collected nearly half that, with $549,465.36 in donations.
The fundraising surge greatly extends Figures’s lead ahead of Dobson in net donations collected over the entire election cycle. FEC reports show that Figures has raised a total of $1,925,440.29 in campaign contributions to-date while Dobson has raised $1,330,035.09.
While Dobson’s fundraising numbers stayed relatively consistent compared to the previous filing period, Figures’s contributions more than doubled. From April to July, the Figures campaign reported $475,879.12 in donations, at that point, Figures led Dobson by around $80,000 in total contributions — now, his financial lead has extended to nearly $600,000.
Both candidates are sure to make to the most of their available finances with election day only weeks away. Figures has put out campaign ads tying himself to the Obama administration, the Civil Rights Movement, and his family’s history in Alabama politics. Meanwhile, Dobson’s ad buys highlight her endorsement by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and emphasize her campaign’s concern with economic issues, particularly inflation.
Figures’ financial advantage is promising for the Democrat’s chances in November. According to the independent nonprofit OpenSecrets, 93.65 percent of contested House seats in the 2022 election cycle were won by the candidate who raised more money.
Figures and Dobson recently faced off in their second debate of the election cycle, fighting over topics including the economy, immigration, and the inclusion of transgender children in sports. Both candidates tried to portray their opponent as an elite outsider who would not accurately represent the needs and concerns of average Alabamians.
