Birmingham educator and entrepreneur Dr. Ammie Akin recently launched her campaign in the August 11 special Republican primary election in Alabama's Congressional District 7, challenging Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham).
The special election was called by Gov. Kay Ivey after legislative action and federal court rulings, allowing the state to use previously barred congressional maps in the election.
Akin is one of only two Republicans who qualified for the seat, the other being David Perry, who previously ran for the Alabama State Board of Education.
"The people of Congressional District 7 are ready for fresh, productive leadership focused on results—not scoring political points," Akin said. "This district is full of hardworking people, small businesses, and the people who keep it moving every day. They deserve a voice that listens, stands up for them, and won't back down when it matters. I'm running as an outsider who has spent my career working alongside people across this district, and I'm ready to solve real problems and deliver for Alabama."
Akin is a career educator and entrepreneur from Birmingham. She is the co-founder of Hub in the Hills, which boasts itself as a "shared home for nonprofits." She also serves as board chair of Unless U, a nonprofit supporting adults with disabilities. She is also married to Will and has three children.
"This district deserves a representative who listens more than she talks, who learns before she lectures, and who knows that good ideas can come from anyone," Akin said. "I'm asking the people of Congressional District 7 to send me to Washington to work for them, represent them with strength and conviction, and deliver real results for hardworking Alabamians.
Akin released a series of policy priorities as a prospective member of Congress that focus on issues across the board.
The agenda includes:
- Putting Alabama First by prioritizing families, workers, small businesses, and local communities over politics.
- Fighting wasteful Washington spending and demanding responsible, accountable use of taxpayer dollars.
- Cutting red tape so Alabama businesses can grow, create jobs, and compete.
- Strengthening rural healthcare by improving access to quality care and helping rural hospitals stay open.
- Growing rural Alabama by supporting agriculture, timber, job creation, and policies that keep families rooted in their communities.
- Strengthening education by building a true partnership between educators, parents, and the community so every child has the opportunity to succeed.
- Expanding broadband access so students, patients, workers, and small businesses are not left behind.
- Investing in modern infrastructure that supports economic development, safer roads, and a better quality of life.
- Supporting law enforcement, first responders, and the military with the resources they need to keep our communities safe and our nation secure.
- Delivering commonsense results by listening first, solving real problems, and fighting for the people of Alabama.
The special election will be unique in that it will determine the Republican nominee without the possibility of a runoff. Meaning, the candidates who receive the popular vote in Congressional Districts 2, 4, 6 and 7 will be the party's nominee.
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