A Woman is Poised to Make History in Alabama Politics
Jun 30th, 2009 | By admin | Category: Must Reads, Politics & Campaign Stories
Shelia Smoot Launches Bid for U.S. Congress
By Brandy Bailey, Contributor ElectWomen Magazine
Shelia Smoot is a woman of many talents. She is the Jefferson County Commissioner in Birmingham Alabama, a consumer advocate, radio talkshow host, businesswoman, and mother. Now she is hoping to add to that impressive list of accomplishments as U.S. Congresswoman for Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. If she wins she will be the first African-American woman elected to Congress from Alabama.
Smoot recently announced that she is running for the seat that is being vacated by Representative Artur Davis, a Democrat, who has decided to run for governor in next year’s gubernatorial election.
In 2002 when Sheila Smoot was elected to her first term as Commissioner she became the first African American female to ever sit on the Jefferson County Commission and the youngest person ever to serve on the Commission. In 2006 she ran unopposed and was easily re-elected to her second term.
Since kicking off her campaign Smoot has been busy visiting the 12 counties in the District and talking to as many voters as possible. “I’m interested in shaking hands and getting to as many people as possible,” Smoot said. “I want the people to know that I’m working for this seat. I’m not taking anyone for granted. I want to do a kick-off in every county, not just where the money is or the most amount of voters. Everyone deserves a formal announcement.” Smoot’s 12 county swing will wrap-up in Sumpter and Choctaw counties on July 4th.
Smoot is very passionate about the listening to the needs of the people in the District, “I am about people, not politics. I am a people person. I don’t deal with politics, I deal with people’s problems and I want to know what issues people are dealing with,” said Smoot in a recent interview.
So far Smoot is very excitied about the direction of her campaign. She recently placed her 15-year-old daughter in charge of part of her campaign called Teens for Smoot and the response from the young people has been overwhelming. “The young people especially like that they can follow me on Facebook and Twitter,” said Smoot. Smoot has also organized a group called Seasoned Citizens for Smoot, which is a group of senior citizens in the District that she had engaged in order to hear their concerns.
Though she is a Michigan native, Smoot is vocal about her love for Alabama and her District, “I always knew I was supposed to be here all my life. Alabama has been very good to me and when we go to Congress we go together.”
The Alabama primary will be held August 24, 2010 and the general election will be held November 2, 2010. If a runoff is necessary it will be held in September 2010.
For more information, or to contribute to her campaign go to her website at http://www.sheliasmoot.us/.
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Thanks for the Profile of Shelia. Great job!!!!
Smoot has help drive Jefferson County into a 4.6 billion dollar debt. She has been (is?) under investigation for misappropriation of funds regarding the use of county vehicles and steering county contracts to businesses controlled by her ex-husband.
It’s great to help women gain ground in the political arena, but I’d rather back someone with less baggage. There are other, more qualified candidates in this race.
She is not under investigation. That was in reference to a county audit not a personal audit and it is being cleared up. The county was in bad shape before Smoot got there and she has done a lot for residents in her district. No ex-husband got any contracts and that is a fact.
Alabama audit of Jefferson County questions Commissioner Shelia Smoot’s car use, payroll deductions
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2009/06/alabama_audit_of_jefferson_cou.html
Grand Jury Investigation Begins into Jefferson County Road Maintenance Contracts
http://www.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local/article/-VTM_2008_02_26_0005/23025/
Jefferson County grass man Watters had more county work
http://blog.al.com/archiblog/2008/03/jefferson_county_grass_man_wat.html
Grand jury probing Jeffco grass-cutting contracts
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2008/02/grand_jury_probing_jeffco_gras.html
Shelia has been good for her district. Before her being on the county commission there were very few project in the Western side of the county. She has worked to provide affordable senior housing in Lipscomb. There have been a number of unfounded personal attacks against her character and I can assure you that these allegations are false.
officials to do a job and none of them performed to their ELECTED duties. Hopefully the citizens of Jefferson County have enough sense NOT to put any of them back in office.
The Jefferson County situation started a long time ago. The legislature is equally if not more responsible for failing to help find some relief this past legislative session. There are a number of factors that are responsible for the financial situation in Jeff Co.
This campaign is doing a really good job of using social media. Good luck.
Smoot is not listing very well when it comes to people and there jobs. Why she is not willing to take a pay cut to help people keep their jobs? Did anyone put a gun to her head and make her run for commissions? I don’t think so. She stated that she took a pay cut to when she took the job as commissions. Smoot has no heart. I don’t understand how she can sleep at night.
Smoot is not listing very well when it comes to people and there jobs. Why she is not willing to take a pay cut to help people keep their jobs? She stated that she took a pay cut to when she took the job as commissions. Did anyone put a gun to her head? I don’t think so. Smooth has no heart. I don’t understand how she can sleep at night.
I’m not from Alabama but I’ve know Shelia from childhood. Alabama could only be so lucky to have her. Helping people was part of her personality as a young lady back in Flint Mi. She’s seen struggle and she’s always been one that cares. If you polled people that new her before her days in politics you’d find out that nobody is suprised by her true desire to want to help people. I haven’t seen Shelia in about 25 years but finding out she is running for congress doesn’t suprise me. She is truly a wonderful person with a wonderful heart. So don’t get caught up in politics get out and shake her hand and get to know her. She has heart bigger than most.