In twenty days, voters in the Alabama 7th Congressional District will have the opportunity to elect the first African-American woman from our great state. This is not new territory for me as I've been a trailblazer. I was the youngest member elected to the Jefferson County Commission and the first ever African-American female.
I'm about people and not politics. I've been telling people on the campaign trail that when we go to Congress, we go together. When people vote for the next member of Congress for this district they should vote to elect someone who will impact their life not their own.
I appreciate the folks at Daily Kos such as alpolitics and MinistryofTruth who have helped me on this journey. Thanks for letting me talk to you why I'm running for Congress and how I will make a difference.
I started this journey almost a year ago on June 13, 2009 by taking a bus tour of the 7th Congressional District. I think about that day as I enter the final few weeks of this journey.
We started in Selma at the Good Samaritan hospital where we stood on the site of the only African American hospital in this city during segregation. Unfortunately the doors of this hospital closed in 1983. Health care disparity and the quality of career have been part of my campaign platform since Day one. In Lipscomb, Alabama we spoke to residents at the site of the Oak Park Villas where affordable housing is provided to Seniors. As a member of the Jefferson County Commission I fought to secure Federal and local funding for this project.
Throughout the past year, I've traveled the entire district. Alabama 07 stretches from Birmingham and the Western side of Jefferson County into the Black Belt. The Black Belt region of the State is one of the most impoverished district of the county. It pains me to see people hurting here because they lack the basic infrastructure that will provide jobs. My family is from Sumter County which is in the heart of the Black Belt. I understand the problems and concerns of the people in both the urban and rural parts of this district.
Our district has a lot of untapped resources. We need to make sure those resources are utilized. I plan on joining Committees such as the Agriculture Committee as well as the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which will help us better develop these resources and access to the region.
It is critical that we put the right person in this seat that will work that will do the right thing with this seat. It is disturbing and painful to see that people in AL-07 which has some of poorest communities in America has not prospered. I'm committed to making that work for them.
I've done things for poor communities. I've built schools, senior citizens housing. This matters to people in this district. I will be engaged in policy and I understand that member is obligated to direct resources to those most in need. This is not happening in AL-07.
Many people talk about change. If we had a major adjustment we would do better. I'm committed to make what will be a sacrifice to make sure the least of these get their fair share. Throughout my career as an investigative journalist and hosting the Six on Your Side segment, I've been helping people especially the least of these. I've always had an open door policy. I want to continue this when we go to Washington.
Our campaign has worked hard to communicate via the newest tools of technology.
You can follow @smoot2010 on twitter.
You can join Smoot for Congress on Facebook
And if you are able please donate as a member of Grassroots for Smoot on Act Blue
Smoot on Your Side