The Press Says Figures Has The Money. The Spending Says Otherwise

THE HEADLINE YOU READ

On October 16, AL.com, Alabama Daily News and 1819 News each reported that Shomari Figures outraised Rhett Marques in the third quarter, $1,052,456 to $316,795.

Those are the two campaigns' receipts. They are not what is being spent in this race.

THE MONEY THEY LEFT OUT

Since the August 11 primary, outside groups have reported $2,297,303 in spending for Marques or against Figures, according to FEC filings: No Going Back PAC $1,661,414, Alabama Christian Conservatives $446,835, Civic Renewal Fund $165,629 and MAGA Inc. $23,425.

Outside groups have reported $1,934,050 for Figures or against Marques: READY FOR THE FIGHT $854,368, PROJECT 218 $538,536, Rolling Sea Action Fund $175,000, AB PAC $158,499, Black Voters Matter Action PAC $140,000 and Progressive Turnout Project $67,647.

More outside money has been spent for Marques than for Figures.

WHAT AL.COM TOLD ITS READERS

AL.com's October 16 story told readers Figures has more than $1.3 million on hand "to use for get out the vote efforts and advertising."

On outside money it said only that "Independent PACs have been running ads in Montgomery, Dothan and other local markets." It gave no dollar figure for any spending supporting Marques.

WHO IS PAYING FOR FIGURES

Of Figures' $1,052,456, $285,033 came as transfers from fundraising committees rather than from donors: $219,500 from House Victory Project 2026 of Washington, $61,575 from the Figures Victory Fund and $3,958 from the Clyburn Cleaver Figures Victory Fund, according to his FEC filing.

The largest outside spender for Figures is READY FOR THE FIGHT, the PAC of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. Pritzker is a billionaire heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune and a potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidate, according to Alabama Daily News and WTTW in Chicago. He gave the PAC $5,000,000 on September 14, of the $5,644,667 it has raised, according to its FEC filings. It has spent $854,368 against Marques.

Alabama Daily News reported October 8, from ad-tracking firm AdImpact, that the DCCC, the House Democrats' campaign arm, has spent about $1.1 million on ads in coordination with Figures' campaign.

WHO WINS IF REPUBLICANS STAY HOME

Punchbowl News wrote October 7 that Figures "could have a narrow path to victory if Black turnout is high and Republicans stay home in a bad year for the GOP."

President Trump would have won this district by 14 points in 2024, Alabama Daily News reported. The Cook Political Report rates it likely Republican. Sabato's Crystal Ball rates it Leans Republican, AL.com reported.

Figures has said Montgomery County holds about 31 percent of the district's registered voters and could be as much as 40 percent of the vote if turnout runs high, AL.com reported October 4.

The district is ours if Republicans vote.

WHAT THE RECORD COVERS

Outside spending: FEC independent expenditure filings for the 2nd District, August 12 through October 18, 2026, read October 18.

Figures campaign receipts and transfers: Committee to Elect Shomari Figures for Congress, October quarterly report, filed October 15, 2026.

READY FOR THE FIGHT receipts: its FEC filings, read October 18, 2026.

AL.com, "Shomari Figures outraises Rhett Marques in final stretch of competitive congressional race," October 16, 2026. Alabama Daily News, "Democrats outspend Republicans on ads nearly 2-to-1 in Alabama's 2nd District race," October 8, 2026, and "Figures raised three times Marques' third quarter haul in 2nd District race," October 16, 2026. 1819 News, October 16, 2026. Punchbowl News, October 7, 2026. WTTW, April 30, 2025.

SIXTEEN DAYS

Voter registration closes tomorrow, October 19. Mailed absentee applications must be received by October 27. The general election is November 3.

A headline does not decide this race. Voters do.

We want this seat back. Show up.

Wall of Shame — Today: Balch & Bingham

Today on the Wall of Shame: the Balch & Bingham PAC (Birmingham) has put $2,500 into Rep. Shomari Figures' campaign account. A major Alabama law and lobbying firm — the same access play. The Wall of Shame exists for one reason — so that total stops growing. https://take2back.com/wall-of-shame.html