Alabama is a Republican stronghold in statewide races, so President Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race on Sunday is not likely to change former President Trump’s expected dominance in the state in November.

But Alabama does have a competitive congressional race, – the redrawn 2nd District – where the Democrats hope to flip a Republican seat and elect the second Democratic member in Alabama’s seven-member U.S. House delegation.

Democratic nominee Shomari Figures of Mobile, a former official in the Obama administration and the U.S. Justice Department, faces Republican nominee Caroleene Dobson, an attorney from Montgomery.

On Sunday, Figures responded to Biden’s announcement with a statement praising the president.

“President Biden gave his entire life (to) public service,” Figures said. “Through the tragic deaths of his wife, his young daughter, and his son Beau, he continued to lead. He gave his all to this nation, and answered the call to restore the soul of America at a time when we needed it most. He navigated us through the greatest threat to our Democracy in over 150 years and through the worst pandemic in world history. President Biden delivered for this nation and the state of Alabama.

“Just last week his administration awarded Alabama the largest federal grant ever in the history of the state for an infrastructure project that will have transformative economic impacts in Mobile and across the region. On behalf of all of those who call Alabama – and especially District 2 – home, Thank You, Joe.”

After withdrawing Biden endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, and Figures said that was the right call.

“I first met Kamala Harris back in 2012 when she was Attorney General and was helping us get President Barack Obama reelected,” Figures said. “She had our back then, and we have her back now. I fully support Vice President Harris for the Democratic nomination and look forward to casting my ballot for the first Black woman to be President of the United States.”