HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Black voters helped deliver a consequential Alabama election night as U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures survived a Republican redistricting effort and Madison County voters replaced their sheriff, reshaped the local bench and sent new Democrats to the Legislature.
The Nov. 3 results revealed two realities: Democrats demonstrated new strength in important contests, while Republicans retained statewide power and legislative supermajorities.
For Black Alabamians, Figures’ reelection preserved representation in a congressional district whose boundaries had been changed to favor Republicans. For Madison County families, the local results put new leaders in positions overseeing policing, courts and public revenue.
Figures defeats the redraw
Figures defeated Republican state Rep. Rhett Marques in the 2nd Congressional District, receiving 124,422 votes to Marques’ 107,049, according to unofficial Secretary of State returns. Including write-ins, Figures received 53.67%.
The victory followed a congressional map change that reduced the district’s Black voting-age population from roughly 49% to just under 40%, the Alabama Reflector reported. The change followed Supreme Court actions allowing Alabama to use a Legislature-approved 2023 map.
Figures told supporters election night that “we had the deck stacked against us,” according to the Reflector.
The Associated Press reported that heavy turnout in Montgomery, a predominantly Black city and Democratic stronghold, helped propel his victory. Some polling places had lines stretching blocks.
His campaign also emphasized household pressures, including fuel costs, health care and the effects of tariffs on farmers, Alabama Daily News reported.
“People here in the state of Alabama cannot wait two years to see progress,” Figures told supporters, according to the publication.
Figures pledged to work with Republicans, including President Donald Trump, when necessary to help constituents. His victory, alongside Rep. Terri Sewell’s reelection, keeps two Black Democrats in Alabama’s seven-member congressional delegation.
Madison County changes course
In north Alabama, Democrat Brett Jones defeated two-term Republican Sheriff Kevin Turner, 84,068 votes to 74,639, in unofficial returns. Jones received about 52.9%.
A former Navy SEAL whose background includes service with the CIA’s Global Response Staff, Jones campaigned on transparency, accountability, jail rehabilitation and stronger cooperation between law enforcement agencies, WAFF reported.
“The amount of trust that people are putting into me is heartwarming,” Jones told WAFF.
He also opposed the Sheriff’s Office’s Flock Safety license-plate reader contract. Turner highlighted his department’s growth and staffing during his tenure.
The changes extended into the courthouse. Democrats Kimberly Kelley Rucker, Jason M. Jones and Raven Beach won the three contested District Court races, defeating Tim Douthit, John R. Allen and Jeanne Dowdle Rizzardi, respectively.
Democrat Jeff Taylor defeated Republican incumbent Valerie D. Miles for tax collector. Republicans retained other offices, including county schools superintendent, won by Keith Trawick, and the uncontested tax assessor, coroner and license director positions.
The legislative changes included Democrat Allison Montgomery’s defeat of Rep. Phillip Rigsby in House District 25 and Rudolph Valentino Drake’s victory over John Roberts in the open Senate District 2 race.
Democrat Jared Sluss also defeated Sen. Sam Givhan in Senate District 7. Givhan conceded Nov. 4, the Alabama Reflector reported, updating earlier coverage that left the contest unresolved.
Sluss received 30,255 votes to Givhan’s 29,678, a 577-vote margin in the unofficial count. Drake received 34,585 votes to Roberts’ 27,130, underscoring that the region’s changes reached beyond county offices.
Republicans retain statewide control
The Democratic gains did not overturn Alabama’s Republican leadership. Tommy Tuberville defeated Doug Jones for governor, while Republicans retained legislative supermajorities, Alabama Daily News reported.
Statewide returns showed Tuberville with 872,561 votes, compared with 806,253 for Jones, who carried Madison County.
“I am proud to say that 91% of incumbent Alabama House Republicans prevailed,” House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said.
Madison County cast 160,875 ballots, representing 47.70% of registered voters, according to state returns. Those totals cover all voters; they do not establish Black turnout or identify which racial groups determined individual county races.
The distinction matters as communities assess what changed and why. Reports of Black voter mobilization give context to Figures’ victory, while local returns document broader Democratic gains across Madison County.
For residents, the next test is governing. Campaign commitments on public safety, accountability and affordability now face the daily demands of public office. Voters can follow budgets, public meetings and policy decisions to measure whether election promises become action.
All vote totals remain unofficial pending certification.
