Shomari Figures Fires Back After Trump Rally, Says Rhett Marques ‘Lied About Me’ and Challenges Him to a Debate

MOBILE, Ala. — U.S. Rep. Shomari Figures, the Democratic incumbent in one of the most closely watched congressional races in the South, hit back Saturday against claims made about him and his party by President Donald Trump and Alabama Republicans at Friday night’s rally in Mobile.

“We fully expected them to be up there in a sort of Trump drunk state of praise and worship of Donald Trump, which is exactly what happened,” Figures said Saturday morning at a gathering of the Alabama Democratic Conference in Mobile.

In a separate written statement, Figures said his Republican opponent, state Rep. Rhett Marques of Enterprise, misrepresented his record. He also continued his effort to tie Marques to high gas prices and the impact of tariffs on Alabama.

What Was Said at the Rally

Alabama’s 2nd Congressional District race was a recurring theme at Trump’s rally at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell Center, with multiple speakers referencing the contest.

During his own speech, Marques argued that Figures represented “craziness over common sense.”

“They know that a vote for Shomari Figures is a vote for the far-left wing of their party,” Marques said.

Marques then went after Figures’ voting record in Congress.

“He’s against no tax on tips,” Marques said. “He voted against no tax on overtime pay. He voted to tax your Social Security. He supported your tax dollars to pay for sex change operations for children and medical benefits for illegal aliens.”

Trump also mentioned the race early in his remarks, telling the crowd of Marques that “we gotta get him in.”

Figures’ Response

Figures’ statement was pointed.

“Rhett Marques just showed everyone why he’s completely unqualified to represent us in Congress,” Figures said. “He took the stage and lied about me, offered no plan, and praised the man who’s responsible for all-time high fuel prices, the largest tax in American history — the Trump tariffs, and the worst environment for our farmers in decades.”

“Rhett also missed the chance to explain to us why he raised the gas tax 67% in Alabama,” Figures said.

He closed with a direct challenge.

“It’s crystal clear that Rhett Marques would only do what Donald Trump says. He would represent the president; I will represent the people. And if Rhett truly believes he can back up all those lies about me, he should take the stage with me and debate.”

Checking the Claims

Both candidates’ claims include elements of truth, but each leaves out important context.

The Gas Tax

Marques, who represents the Enterprise area in the Alabama House, was serving in the Legislature in 2019 when lawmakers approved the Rebuild Alabama Act. The law gradually increased the state’s fuel tax by 10 cents per gallon to fund road and bridge projects across Alabama.

Marques did vote for the fuel tax increase — but so did most of the Legislature. The measure was a broadly supported infrastructure package rather than a proposal unique to Marques.

The 2025 Tax Law

Figures did vote against Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed in 2025. So did every other Democrat in Congress.

But the effects of the law — and the way Trump and Republicans describe it — are more complicated. According to independent fact checks, Trump’s description of the law as providing “no tax” on tips, overtime and Social Security overstates what the legislation actually does. The law offers limited deductions and tax breaks rather than fully eliminating taxes on those types of income. Independent fact-checkers have also challenged the claim that the law represents “record tax cuts.”

Tariffs

The impact of Trump’s trade policies on Alabama appears mixed. Tariffs have cost the state an estimated $5.4 billion, according to an analysis by the National Taxpayers Union, with most of the burden falling on local manufacturers.

Figures’ Time at the Justice Department

Republicans have also criticized Figures’ record from his time at the U.S. Department of Justice, which was led by Attorney General Merrick Garland during the Biden administration. The DOJ sued Alabama after the state passed a law banning gender-transition surgeries for minors.

Figures has said he was not involved in transgender issues during his time at the Justice Department.

A Race With National Stakes

The 2nd District contest has drawn national attention because control of the U.S. House of Representatives may hinge on a handful of competitive seats. The district was redrawn ahead of the 2026 elections after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the Legislature’s congressional map in June.

Republican speakers at Friday’s rally, including Trump, urged supporters to turn out in November specifically to flip the seat. Figures, meanwhile, has made affordability — especially fuel prices and the cost of tariffs — a central theme of his campaign.

Whether Marques will accept Figures’ debate challenge remains to be seen.

Key Dates for Voters

• Voter registration deadline: Oct. 19
• General election: Nov. 3