With about one week to spare, a group of potential U.S. congressional hopefuls gathered on a convention center stage in Mobile Friday to discuss the struggles and opportunities for Black-owned and minority businesses in Alabama.
“I didn’t want anything to be a distraction to that moment that is important me and the people of Alabama,” Daniels said.“It doesn’t matter who gets in this race,” he said. “That won’t impact my decision. It doesn’t matter to me.” Shomari Figures, the former deputy chief of staff and counselor to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland Mayors, participates in a forum about Black-owned businesses as part of the Port City Classic's Black Business Expo on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala.
Figures also said he stepped away from his position within the Department of Justice to “even have these type of conversations, forming a team and raising money.” That new score, based on past presidential race outcomes, represents a dramatic shift from a congressional district rated a +17 advantage for Republicans under the previous congressional map.