It's official, the 7th Congressional District of Alabama nominated Terri Sewell who is all but guaranteed of being the first African American Congresswoman from Alabama in this Dem +18 PVI district. Not the candidate I supported of course.
The real concern is the people of the 7th Congressional District. Will the least of these in one of the most impoverished districts in the country get the service that they so rightfully need. We don't know when the person that represents them is not beholden to them but rather Corporate interests, out of state money and the D.C. powerbrokers. So while my heart hurts for my friend Shelia Smoot, my heart weeps for those that need service. Terri Sewell made a lot of promises during this campaign on a thin record of previous community service. Let's hope that she can deliver and has the best interests of the people in this district in mind.
In this race money, power and the outside influence of Emily's List won out over the true grassroots candidate. Let me say Congrats to Sewell, I don't want to sound like a sore loser.
But I think that we set a terrible precedent in this election. Yes we know that the one that raises the most money wins. That's part of politics. However, a complete unknown came in backed by New York money and Washington D.C. influence. Will the people own this seat or will the out of district, out of state interests?
Sewell claimed a commanding twenty point lead in an internal poll prior to yesterdays runoff election. The purpose of this poll was to dry up any money that Smoot could raise and it essentially worked. However, she only won by ten percentage points despite having a 10 to 1 fundraising advantage and the ability to loan herself 20k in the final hours of the election. Much of this margin was due to a 3,000 vote difference in Dallas County - the home base of Sewell's family.
You do what you gotta do to win an election. However, I'm concerned about the future. The Sewell campaign spent most of it's money on out of state salaries and resources. Not a good sign for showing the people in this district that you will invest in them. I hope that Sewell dumps these out of state folks, goofy D.C. consultants and hires people from within her district for the general.
While Smoot in the final days secured local labor endorsements and those of local elected officials, Sewell's campaign was contrived and controlled by the D.C. influence. Let's hope that she is not another Artur Davis who was blinded by his own ambition and left the people of the 7th Congressional District behind on a number of occasions. The people of the 7th CD will be watching very closely, service and not promises will be the decider of fate.
I appreciate all of those on this blog that helped with the Smoot campaign in terms of commenting on diaries, writing diaries and donating money. Your presence was felt. I'm sure Shelia will come by in the next few days to talk about where she goes next.
Personally, I'll be back and I'll find an election for the fall to become immersed in or a cause. So I may not be around much for a little while, but don't count me out or down.