Like father, like daughter: Malika Sanders-Fortier elected to father’s old Senate seat

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Malika and Hank Sanders
Former Senator Hank Sanders and Malika Fortier for Senate District 23.[Photo Credit: Malika Sanders Fortier for Senate 23 on Facebook]

After qualifying to run for re-election earlier this year, Alabama’s longest-serving state senator, Selma-Democrat Hank Sanders decided not to seek a 10th term in office. Recognizing the opportunity to build upon her father’s legacy, 44 year old Malika Sanders-Fortier decided she would run for the empty seat.

Her campaign embraced the idea of “Fresh Leadership and Wise Council,” drawing upon her own unique ideas for Alabama’s 23rd Senate District, while knowing her father and his three-decades worth of experience in Montgomery would be there for guidance along the way. And on Tuesday, after months of campaigning, Sanders-Fortier’s bested independent candidate Mark Story to win the seat.

“Thank you for the support and the prayers during this 2018 Senate District 23 Election. Let’s continue to work together to grow and improve our communities,” Sanders posted on Facebook Wednesday morning.