A factual timeline of where Alabama's 2nd District congressman and his wife have lived, worked, and built their careers. Spoiler: it wasn't Alabama.
Born in Mobile. Educated at the University of Alabama. Then he left — and built his entire professional life in Washington, DC, Ohio, and Missouri. He returned to Alabama in 2023, just in time to file for Congress.
Born in Mobile. Graduated from LeFlore Magnet High School. Bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama (2006). This is the last time Alabama was his home for more than a campaign cycle.
J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law. After this, he never holds another job in Alabama.
Clerked for Judge Nannette A. Baker, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri. Not Alabama.
Worked on Barack Obama's re-election campaign as a field organizer in Ohio. Not Alabama.
Domestic Director of Presidential Personnel. Helped staff federal agencies. This is where he met his wife — in the Obama White House.
Served as the White House Liaison at the Department of Justice under Attorney General Loretta Lynch.
Three years as legislative counsel to a liberal Ohio Democrat. Advisor on immigration, homeland security, and civil rights. Not working for Alabama. Working for Ohio.
After working on the Biden-Harris transition team, returned to DOJ as Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to Attorney General Merrick Garland. Bought a home in Maryland valued between $500,000 and $1,000,000.
After 13 years away, returns to Alabama when a court-ordered redistricting creates a new, winnable seat. Keeps the Maryland house. His own words: "I have moved into this district, I have moved back home for this."
Lives in Maryland. Works in Washington. Visits Alabama. Family has no documented ties to the district — no children enrolled in Alabama schools, spouse's business and career based entirely in DC.
Dr. Kalisha Dessources Figures is a New Yorker with an Ivy League education, two White House appointments, a PhD from Yale, and a DC consulting firm. Her professional world is Washington, New York, Philadelphia, and New Haven. Alabama doesn't appear on her resume at any point.
Ithaca, NY. Minored in Feminism, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
Philadelphia, PA. Teach for America corps member. Taught math and science in Philadelphia. Not Alabama.
Washington, DC (2015–2017). Directed portfolio on "advancing equity for women and girls of color." This is where she met her husband.
New Haven, CT. Dissertation on girls of color in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Dean's Emerging Scholar.
Washington, DC. Director of Partnerships for Michelle Obama's voting organization.
Washington, DC (2021–2023). Led implementation of the "first-ever national gender strategy." White House Gender Policy Council.
Washington, DC. Her own consulting firm specializing in "gender policy, racial justice, and strategic partnerships." Based in the DC metro area.
Washington, DC. Directs "The Change Collective," described as a leadership initiative launched by Barack Obama.
Cornell. Penn. Yale. Obama White House. Biden White House. Michelle Obama's organization. A DC consulting firm.
At what point does "Alabama is home" become a campaign slogan instead of a fact?
| Category | The Figures Family | Average AL-02 Family |
|---|---|---|
| Where they live | Maryland suburb of DC | Mobile, Montgomery, or the Black Belt |
| Where kids go to school | No record of Alabama enrollment | Local public or private school |
| Where they work | White House, DOJ, DC consulting | Local employer, small business, or military |
| Education | Cornell, Penn, Yale, U of A Law | 22% of AL-02 adults have a bachelor's |
| Where they got married | East Brunswick, New Jersey | Their hometown church |
| Where the money comes from | 92.6% from outside Alabama | Their paycheck from an Alabama job |
| Professional network | Obama, Biden, Garland, Hakeem Jeffries | Their pastor, their boss, their neighbor |
Track the congressman's life on a map and three locations appear. Alabama is not one of them.
Where his family lives.
$500K–$1M home.
Where he takes orders.
Where 45.6% of his money comes from.
Where he fundraises.
Presidents' Day Weekend 2025.
He claims "Alabama is home."
But his career is Washington. His wife's career is Washington. His house is in Maryland. His wedding was in New Jersey. His money comes from DC.
Alabama isn't his home. Alabama is his layover.
His family, his career, his money — all somewhere else.
Alabama is just his campaign prop.