Who's In the Race

The November general election for Alabama's 7th U.S. House District pits Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) against Republican challenger Ammie Akin. ​

Sewell, an attorney born in Huntsville and raised in Selma, has represented the district since 2011. The Democratic primary on May 19 had one candidate. Ammie Akin is a former career educator who has worked as a teacher, elementary administrator, assistant superintendent, and college professor, and she co-founded the nonprofit Hub in the Hills with her husband.

What They Stand For

Sewell has championed the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act and supported protecting voting rights, according to the Alabama Reflector. She has supported federal efforts to expand affordable housing in Alabama, supported measures to help people in Alabama's healthcare coverage gap, and provided funding for rural hospitals.

Sewell has supported infrastructure funding for the Black Belt, particularly upgrades to water and sewage systems. Her campaign website identifies affordability, healthcare, voting rights, infrastructure and education among its priorities.

Akin's campaign website says she would "Put Alabama First" by prioritizing families, workers, small businesses and local communities over politics. She has proposed fighting wasteful federal spending and seeking responsible, accountable use of taxpayer dollars, per her campaign site.

Akin has supported strengthening rural healthcare by improving access to care and helping rural hospitals stay open, and strengthening education through partnership among educators, parents and communities. She has supported providing law enforcement, first responders and the military with resources for public safety and national security, according to her campaign website.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Sewell raised about $1.96 million through July 22 and had about $3.75 million in cash on hand.

Akin's fundraising figures were not available in Federal Election Commission filings through the same period.

Candidates in this race have raised nearly $3.4 million combined.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Sept. 25. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Sept. 29. Inside Elections rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2.

On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats a 96.89 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 8.

Sewell carried the district with about 64 percent of the vote in both 2024 and 2022. Republicans held six of Alabama's seven U.S. House seats after 2022 and five after 2024, with Democrats holding the remaining seats both cycles. Donald Trump carried Alabama in the 2024 presidential election with about 65 percent of the vote.

Voters in the district should note the following deadlines and hours for the Nov. 3 general election. The voter registration deadline is Monday, Oct. 19; Alabama does not allow same-day registration, per the Alabama Secretary of State's 2026 Voter Guide.

The deadline to apply for a mail or absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 27 by mail or Thursday, Oct. 29 in person, according to the Alabama Secretary of State.

Alabama does not offer early in-person voting, the Montgomery Advertiser reported. Polls on Election Day are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time, per the Alabama Law Institute.

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