Yes it's a reality after Tuesday's Democratic Primary elections and we learned of results in the 7th Congressional Distrct. It's a near certainty as two African American female candidates will face off in a runoff for the nomination in this D +18 PVI District.
Jefferson County Commissioner and former investigative Journalist Shelia Smoot will face off against former Wall Street Attorney Terri Sewell in a race that has draw little media fanfare thus far
Wonder how long it is going to take the national media to become aware of this rather extraordinary development down here in the Heart of Dixie?
As long as it is going to take them to realize race had very little to do with Davis’ loss to Ron Sparks, the agriculture commissioner — that is, that Davis lost much, if not most of the black vote after his own vote against the health care reform bill?
Regardless of who wins, July 13 will be an historic event that many believed would never happen in our State.
More about the 7th Congressional District - Some of the highest unemployment rates and poverty rates in the country. Major problems with access to health care as some in these rural counties have to travel two hours to receive critical care. There is a lack of infrastructure on so many levels - both roads and bridges and the information superhighway. Some people in AL-07 are just getting dial-up internet access.
The 7th District, where Davis and Earl Hilliard Sr. were the first two blacks sent from Alabama to Congress since Reconstruction, is a "minority majority" district, which means more than 60 percent of the voters are black. Practically everybody in the district, which includes 12 counties, including many of Alabama impoverished West Alabama Black Belt counties, as well as parts of Tuscaloosa and Jefferson counties, also votes Democratic in general elections.
Of course as my signature says - I'm for Shelia Smoot who I believe is the most progressive of the two, has experience in job creation, providing access to health care and the vision of what this district can become. While a bleak picture is often painted of AL-07, it has a rich cultural and historical significance. It is often called the cradle of the civil rights movement and that is what makes it so special that we will finally send an African American female to congress.
Here are a few reasons that we, despite being considered the underdog, believe Shelia will win this race (copied from a Smoot for Congressemail)
Runoff elections are about inspiring your base to turn back out. Shelia easily has the most grassroots support and loyal voters. Our Polling data from April, conducted by Collingwood Research, shows that Shelia Smoot supporters are firm supporters and more enthusiastic than our opponents supporters. Voters have a history of electing Shelia Smoot.
Shelia had the highest number of votes in four counties and showed the ability to get votes throughout the District. We had the highest vote total in Jefferson County where we showed tremendous strength by winning more boxes than the other candidates combined. We also won Pickens and Sumter Counties by significant margins and will increase that lead in these counties on July 13. Clarke County, the other county we received the most number of votes, is the most Southern county in the district. We received more votes that our July 13th opponent in 7 of the 12 counties in the 7th Congressional District.
Shelia has a history of political resiliency. As a political newcomer, she ran for Jefferson County Commission in 2002. In the Democratic Primary that year, she came in second behind the incumbent - Steve Small. Though the opponent got slightly more votes in the primary, Shelia defeated him in the Primary runoff by 16% (Smoot 58% to Small 42%) Shelia was heavily outraised and outspent in 2002 and she still easily defeated her opponent.
Shelia is the grassroots candidate and she's on our side.
Oh and here's my pitch for money, knew you were going to get that. We have a great chance of winning this race but we are facing an opponent being funded by the establishment. Can you consider giving us $20.10 so we can get more yard signs, campaign literature, advertising and water for volunteers? We have six weeks until this runoff but time goes quick in such a tight race. Every bit helps and we need it now.