AL.com - Back to Washington: U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell wins big in bid for third term in 7th District

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By Joseph D. Bryant

U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell will return to Washington for a third term, handily defeating a challenge from Tamara Harris Johnson to represent Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

Sewell captured 84 percent of the vote compared to Johnson's 16 percent.

Sewell''s heavily Democratic district includes much of Birmingham, parts of Tuscaloosa County, Montgomery and most of the Black Belt.

Sewell has no Republican opposition in the general election.

"I am just honored every day to represent the people of the 7th Congressional District and I don't take this lightly," Sewell told AL.com Tuesday night from her election night party at Wellington's Bistro in downtown Birmingham.

Sewell's campaign included heavy financing and major endorsements including a nod from President Obama. While Obama was a marked as a villain in most other major Alabama races, the president's endorsement is favored in 7th District, the only Democrat in the state's delegation.

Johnson, a former Birmingham city attorney, had campaign on a platform of building better constituent relations.

The major divergence occurred on the issues of who could deliver those services, who is the most capable and who is more in tune with voter needs.

Johnson, in an early Wednesday morning statement, thanked her supporters and called for cooperation in elevating the district.

"Throughout my travels in the district, I met some beautiful, caring people, and I hope, in whatever way, I was able to be their voices and to share their concerns," she said. "The voters have spoken, and I congratulate Congresswoman Sewell on her victory. Let's work together to make Alabama's 7th Congressional District and this state the best that it can be."

Sewell defended her record in two terms, listing millions in grants ranging from the $10 million grant for trails in Birmingham, to workforce development initiatives at the University of West Alabama.

Sewell vowed to continue to use every resource available to promote job creation in the district.

"On every level we'll continue to focus on job creation," she said.

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