Poll shows Democrat with 12-point lead in redrawn Alabama congressional district

The Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund released poll data Wednesday that shows Democratic nominee Shomari Figures with a 12-point lead over Republican nominee Caroleene Dobson in Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District race. The poll has a 4.6% margin of error.

The polling was conducted from July 28 to Aug. 3 by Impact Research, a public opinion research and consulting firm that has “helped elect Democratic candidates at all levels” of United States government. It consisted of 400 people. About 80 percent were contacted via cellphone call, with the rest being contacted by landline.

Brandon Jones, director of political campaigns for SPLC Action Fund, said that the poll accurately reflected the redrawn district’s demographics and “what the electorate will look like in November.”

“This is a new district,” said Jones. “It’s a new dynamic for these voters who have an opportunity to be a part of a competitive congressional race.” Jones also said the Harris/Walz campaign helped reenergize voters in the district.

More: Voter turnout more than doubles in Alabama’s redrawn congressional district

Last year, in Allen v. Milligan, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the proposed Alabama congressional district map was gerrymandered, discriminating against Black voters. While the state initially refused to redraw the map, defying a federal court order, a new map was eventually drawn. This allowed for another nearly majority Black district in Alabama and set the stage for the competitive primaries as a minority opportunity district.

“There was certainly a significant enhancement in the level of excitement and motivation and inspiration of people wanting to get actively involved in the campaign and wanting to be more engaged directly,” Figures said during a news conference Wednesday.

The last Democrat elected in the district was former Rep. Bobby Bright in 2008. He served one term before being unseated by former Rep. Martha Roby, who was elected the same year as 7th Congressional District Rep. Terri Sewell.

More: When does early voting start in Alabama?

Victor Hagan is the Alabama Election Reporting Fellow for the USA TODAY Network. He can be reached at vhagan@gannett.com or on X @TheVictorHagan. To support his work, subscribe to the Advertiser.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Poll shows Democrat with 12-point lead in redrawn Alabama district