We have a little more than three weeks until the Alabama 7th Congressional District July 13th runoff which in all likelihood will decide who will be the first African American Female member of Congress from Alabama. This is a very Democratic District and while we will never take a Republican lightly in the fall, this district has been represented by a Democratic African-American male since 1992. This is a seat that was drawn to ensure more African American representation in Congress. President Obama beat John McCain by a 72 to 24 margin (48 percentage points) in this district.
Over the past year we have been running a blood, sweat and tears campaign traveling to all the counties in the district. We are running a people to people campaign both on the ground and by using technology such as blogging, facebook and twitter. Our opponent prefers to rely on paid advertising. She claims she has a lead in the polls and that's fine. We like the role of the underdog.
I've been scrapping and fighting all my life. People like someone who is a fighter, someone with true grit.
Alabama has not had a Republican representing the 7th Congressional District in many years. It's not just about being a Democrat on the ballot though, we need to elect someone that is committed to improving the quality of life for the people in this district. The unemployment rate of many counties in this district tops more than twenty percent. Twenty percent.
Earlier this week, I challenged my opponent to a series of debates. The people of the 7th Congressional District deserve to hear how we stand on the issues facing our community. I am asking that we have a series of debates throughout the district to discuss our objectives and priorities in Congress. I would love to see debates in every county so everyone can hear our plans. I want to talk about how we can get direct funds to the counties that cannot afford matching grants. I want the people of District 7 to hear our plans to bring jobs and build infrastructure. They need to hear our plans for taking care of Seniors, improving education, and bettering the lives of the hard working people of the district. I want to discuss how the BP oil spill has affected all of us and how we must hold BP accountable.
We've want to debate, head to head, toe to toe, but have not heard back from my opponent regarding this challenge. My opponent instead talks about the need to raise more money to continued her paid advertising. She's raised a lot of money in this race to the tune of nearly 800k. Look at where that money has come from. To Whom Would My Opponent Be Beholden?
We have to have a Congresswoman who has the proven experience of working for all citizens. I have been on the side of those who needed help all my life. When I go to Congress I will hit the ground running.
I can promise you that I will only answer to the people that have elected me, the voters. We've gained a lot of momentum since the June 1 primary receiving endorsements from two top education unions - The American Federation of Teachers, Local #2143 and the Alabama Education Association and Affiliate of the National Education Association. They can attest to what we've already accomplished. I am also humbled to have received the support of two key Congressional Leaders - House Whip James Clyburn and Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson. They understand the type of district that I represent that is both very urban and very rural and the challenges that it presents.
If elected to Congress, I won't let you down. I tell the people in the Alabama 7th Congressional District that when I go to Congress we got together. Thanks for all of your support.
I will continue to take my message directly to the people of this district. They will hear from us over the next three weeks. We would also appreciate any help as we still need donations in order to travel the roads and make sure our folks get to the polls on election day.
Join our Smoot for Congress facebook group, communicate with us on twitter and donate to our Grassroots for Smoot Act Blue Page.