NOW Congratulates Sewell On Strong First-Place Finish In Alabama Primary

Alabama voters cast their ballots for Terri Sewell on Tuesday, giving her a first-place finish in the state's Democratic Party primary. Sewell received 37 percent of the vote and will face Shelia Smoot, who garnered 29 percent of the vote, in a July 13 runoff. NOW's Political Action Committee proudly endorsed Sewell, a first-time candidate for public office, early in her campaign. Sewell is running for an open seat in the House of Representatives from Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

"NOW congratulates Terri Sewell, and we look forward to continuing to work together toward a win in July and again in November," said NOW President and NOW PAC Chair Terry O'Neill. "Early support for women candidates is critical to their success. We must continue backing women like Terri Sewell if we hope to achieve gender parity in government."

As the first black female partner in her Birmingham law firm, Sewell distinguished herself as one of the only black public finance lawyers in Alabama. She has helped to raise money for some of the state's most underserved public entities and served as the first co-chair of the Women's Fund "Voices Against Violence" inaugural campaign, which promoted women helping women to overcome domestic violence.

If she wins in November, Sewell would become the first black woman elected to Congress from the state of Alabama, following in the footsteps of her mother, Nancy Gardner Sewell, who was the first black woman elected to the Selma City Council.

"We need more women like Terri Sewell on Capitol Hill," said O'Neill. "We are confident she will be a strong leader for full equality for women and girls."

Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116