Congresswoman Terri Sewell was re-elected to her seventh term representing Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District. Sewell cruised to victory even though the Seventh Congressional District became much more diverse after 2021’s redistricting and reapportionment by the Alabama Legislature.
“To the great people of Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, thank you,” said Rep. Sewell. “Representing you in Congress is my greatest honor, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve another term. This victory belongs to you!”
Rep. Sewell won 63.5% percent of the vote (123,060 votes).
Republican challenger Beatrice Nichols received 67,353 votes (34.77%).00
Libertarian Party Chairman Gavin Goodman received 3,207 votes (1.66%).
“Regardless of how you voted, I pledge to continue listening, learning, and fighting for the values we share. We as a nation face many challenges, but I am confident that working together, we can continue to deliver more resources and better opportunities for our communities. I look forward to the work that lies ahead!”
Sewell campaigned tirelessly in this election, traveling all over the district, often bringing checks, emphasizing her ability to bring home money for the district.
Sewell is the first Democratic woman elected to Congress from Alabama in state history. She is the only Black woman to ever serve in the Alabama Congressional delegation. Sewell ran for Congress when then-incumbent Congressman Artur Davis ran for Governor. Before her congressional service, Sewell was an attorney in Birmingham.
Sewell has held several leadership positions, including Freshman Class President in the 112th Congress. This current term, she was selected by Democratic leadership to serve as a Chief Deputy Whip and sits on the prestigious Steering and Policy Committee, which sets the policy direction of the Democratic Caucus. Sewell is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, where she is Co-Chair of the Voting Rights Task Force. She is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, Co-Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus, Vice-Chair of the Congressional HBCU Caucus, and Co-Chair of the Rural Caucus.
Sewell is a native of Selma, where she was the first Black valedictorian of Selma High School. She has degrees from Princeton University and Oxford University in England, as well as a law degree from Harvard Law School.
Sewell is the only Democrat in the Alabama Congressional Delegation. Republican incumbents, U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt, Jerry Carl, Barry Moore, and Gary Palmer, were re-elected by large margins. Madison County Commissioner Dale Strong, as expected, easily won the open Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District.
While all of Alabama’s congressional races went as expected, that could change in the 2024 election as that 2021 redistricting is being challenged in federal court. The U.S. Supreme Court has already heard one of those suits, and a decision is expected this spring. The Court could potentially order the entire congressional redistricting may be redrawn.
As of press time on Wednesday, it is still not known whether Democrats have held on to their razor-thin majorities in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. An expected “Red Wave” did not materialize on election day, so whichever party controls Congress will have very low majorities to work with. Sewell is a member of House leadership. The Biden Administration is saying that the better-than-unexpected results are a vindication of Joe Biden’s policies.
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
