In six days, voters in Alabama's 7th Congressional District will go to the polls and cast their votes. This is an historic election as two African-American women are competing in a runoff to become the first African American female elected to Congress from Alabama.
While certainly becoming the first is newsworthy, what is more important is putting the right person in this seat. We need a person that will provide service to the people of this district. This district has some of the highest unemployment rates and poverty rates in the entire nation. Our district is a rich historical and cultural district with so much potential.
My opponent is being backed by Emily's List and while we respect what they have done in opening doors for women in politics, we are perplexed at why they are working so hard to defeat our campaign. They always neglect to mention that this race will produce a pro-choice woman regardless of the outcome. We have been able to remain in a position to win without the million plus dollars poured into our opponent's coffers by running a true grassroots campaign.
This Monday night, my opponent and I engaged in a radio debate that was heard throughout the Black Belt region of our district.
While I focused on discussing real help that we have provided , my opponent failed to state any real record of community service. Repeatedly, I questioned her own personal involvement in socially conscious matters, particularly those that have addressed needs similar to those in the 7th Congressional District. Not once did my opponent put forth a clear and convincing response that she has ever stood up for the rights of underserved citizens and communities. Rather, she criticized me for confronting issues to impact positive change and ensure equal opportunity and equal access to resources for the least of these. Over my career, I've personally been involved in issues such as senior housing, indigent care, education, infrastructure, workforce development, job creation and job retention projects.
As one caller noted during the Monday night Debate, the 7th Congressional District must have a representative in Washington who is not afraid to stand up for what is right. That caller noted that nearly everything that has been accomplished in the District was the result of a confrontation, and the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma represents one of the District’s most significant confrontations.
I don’t mind raising my voice and making certain the needs of the 7th Congressional District do not go unheard or unaddressed. My opponent has made it crystal clear that she is not going to rock the boat when push comes to shove. And we really shouldn’t expect anything differently from someone who touts her Selma roots and so called Black Belt values, but has not been in the trenches.
We all want to see thriving communities across the 7th Congressional District with flourishing job opportunities and other quality of life enhancements to be enjoyed by all citizens. If it takes raising my voice and being confrontational to achieve this, I am not afraid to stand up for you --- all of you! When I go to Congress, we all go to Congress.
We have received all the major labor endorsements in this runoff election. Working people know that we have always been on their side and will not turn our backs on the least of these. We will not let you down.
We humbly and respectfully ask that you will support our campaign in the July 13th Runoff this upcoming Tuesday.
In order to continue campaigning hard over the next few days we still need financial help. Please go to our Grassroots for Smoot page and make a contribution of $10, $20.10 or whatever you can afford. We appreciate all the help that we have received.