I promised that I would write a diary every day until the AL-07 July 13 runoff for the Democratic nomination. This is a PVI +18 Dem seat that was represented by Artur Davis for the past eight years who proved to be anything but a progressive by voting against Health Care Reform, for Wall Street and against Hate Crime legislation
We have a clear choice in this runoff between former investigative journalist, consumer adovcate and County Commissioner Shelia Smoot and former Wall-Street securities Attorney and bond attorney Terri Sewell.
Sewell has raised more than half of her money from outside the state of Alabama and more money from two big law firms than Smoot has raised in her entire campaign. Smoot is the grassroots candidate who is trying to garner support from small donors on her Act Blue Page
Shelia Smoot lost her job as a television reporter in 1990 because she organized a union.
In 1990 when she was working as a reporter at WILX TV 10 in Lansing, Michigan she saw the need to begin organizing the local auto workers. Her efforts ultimately paid off for the workers of that community but not without a steep personal price. She lost her job that year due to her efforts but she was undeterred. Her union roots would never leave her.
Her opponent worked as a Wall Street Attorney at the large firm of Davis Polk and Wardwell
The firm was dubbed the 'Tiffany of law firms' because of its genteel and aristocratic, white shoe culture.
The firm has represented numerous clients in the ongoing financial crisis, with roles in the AIG, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, and Citigroup matters
Although Sewell left this firm, she has received over 47K in donations from those that work at Davis, Polk and Wardwell according to Open Secrets
Sewell has an impressive resume and pedigree. However, we as the netroots community need to stick together and support the grassroots candidate who has a history of standing up for the least of these. We need someone who has already been fighting for jobs, better access to quality health care and improved infrastructure. That person is Shelia Smoot.
More on Shelia and her support of working people
When she moved back to Alabama and continued her work as an investigative reporter Shelia worked tirelessly to support local workers. It was in part her work with the Union leadership that inspired her to run for public office.
As County Commissioner, Shelia Smoot has worked with countless local unions including the UFCW Local 1657 during the Bruno and Food World store transitions and the USWA when area steel production slowed. In fact, Shelia returned donations from the AFL-CIO to be donated to the strike pay fund.
No candidate in the race has the proven track record of Union support that Commissioner Shelia Smoot has. Shelia has always stood by the "backbone of America," its workers!
We also need your grassroots support. We've raised $3,568 on our Grassroots for Smoot Act Blue Page. A lot of that has come from members of the Daily Kos community.
Shelia Smoot will be on your side