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Alabama's 7th Congressional District
Alabama's 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Terri Sewell (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Alabama representatives represented an average of 718,579 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 686,140 residents.
Elections
2024
General election
General election for U.S. House Alabama District 7
Incumbent Terri Sewell defeated Robin Litaker in the general election for U.S. House Alabama District 7 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Terri Sewell (D) | 63.7 | 186,723 |
 | Robin Litaker (R) | 36.3 | 106,312 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 185 | ||
| Total votes: 293,220 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Christian Horn (R)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Alabama District 7
Incumbent Terri Sewell defeated Chris Davis in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Alabama District 7 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Terri Sewell | 92.6 | 59,153 |
| Chris Davis | 7.4 | 4,715 | ||
| Total votes: 63,868 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Alabama District 7
Christian Horn (Unofficially withdrew) defeated Robin Litaker in the Republican primary for U.S. House Alabama District 7 on March 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Christian Horn (Unofficially withdrew) | 58.2 | 18,116 |
| Robin Litaker | 41.8 | 12,990 | |
| Total votes: 31,106 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Alabama District 7
Incumbent Terri Sewell defeated Beatrice Nichols and Gavin Goodman in the general election for U.S. House Alabama District 7 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Terri Sewell (D) | 63.5 | 123,233 |
 | Beatrice Nichols (R) | 34.8 | 67,416 | |
 | Gavin Goodman (L) | 1.7 | 3,212 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 79 | ||
| Total votes: 193,940 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Terri Sewell advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Alabama District 7.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Beatrice Nichols advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Alabama District 7.
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House Alabama District 7
Incumbent Terri Sewell won election in the general election for U.S. House Alabama District 7 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Terri Sewell (D) | 97.2 | 225,742 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.8 | 6,589 | ||
| Total votes: 232,331 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Terri Sewell advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Alabama District 7.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Alabama District 7
Incumbent Terri Sewell won election in the general election for U.S. House Alabama District 7 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Terri Sewell (D) | 97.8 | 185,010 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 2.2 | 4,153 | ||
| Total votes: 189,163 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Alabama District 7
Incumbent Terri Sewell advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Alabama District 7 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Terri Sewell |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Richard Rice (D)
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Terri Sewell (D) was unopposed in the general election, as the only Republican candidate, David Van Williams, withdrew from the race. Sewell faced no opposition in the March 2016 primary.[1][2][3]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Terri Sewell Incumbent |
98.4% | 229,330 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 1.6% | 3,698 | |
| Total Votes | 233,028 | |||
| Source: Alabama Secretary of State | ||||
2014
The 7th Congressional District of Alabama held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Terri Sewell (D) ran unopposed in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Terri Sewell Incumbent |
98.4% | 133,687 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 1.6% | 2,212 | |
| Total Votes | 135,899 | |||
| Source: Alabama Secretary of State | ||||
2012
The 7th Congressional District of Alabama held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Terri Sewell won re-election in the district.[4]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Terri Sewell Incumbent |
75.8% | 232,520 | |
| Republican | Don Chamberlain | 24.1% | 73,835 | |
| N/A | Write-In | 0.1% | 203 | |
| Total Votes | 306,558 | |||
| Source: Alabama Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
2010
On November 2, 2010, Terri Sewell won election to the United States House. She defeated Don Chamberlain (R) in the general election.[5]
| U.S. House, Alabama District 7 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Terri Sewell |
72.5% | 136,696 | |
| Republican | Don Chamberlain | 27.5% | 51,890 | |
| Total Votes | 188,586 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Artur Davis won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.[6]
| U.S. House, Alabama District 7 General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Artur Davis incumbent |
98.6% | 228,518 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 1.4% | 3,183 | |
| Total Votes | 231,701 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Artur Davis won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.[7]
| U.S. House, Alabama District 7 General Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Artur Davis incumbent |
99% | 133,870 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 1% | 1,294 | |
| Total Votes | 135,164 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, Artur Davis won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Steve Cameron (R) in the general election.[8]
| U.S. House, Alabama District 7 General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Artur Davis incumbent |
75% | 183,408 | |
| Republican | Steve Cameron | 24.9% | 61,019 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.1% | 211 | |
| Total Votes | 244,638 | |||
2002
On November 5, 2002, Artur Davis won election to the United States House. He defeated Lauren Orth McCay (L) in the general election.[9]
| U.S. House, Alabama District 7 General Election, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Artur Davis |
92.4% | 153,735 | |
| Libertarian | Lauren Orth McCay | 7.3% | 12,100 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.3% | 474 | |
| Total Votes | 166,309 | |||
2000
On November 7, 2000, Earl Hilliard won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Ed Martin (R) and Ken Hager (L) in the general election.[10]
| U.S. House, Alabama District 7 General Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Earl Hilliard incumbent |
74.6% | 148,243 | |
| Republican | Ed Martin | 23.2% | 46,134 | |
| Libertarian | Ken Hager | 1.9% | 3,829 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.2% | 427 | |
| Total Votes | 198,633 | |||
1998
On November 3, 1998, Earl Hilliard won re-election to the United States House. He ran unopposed in the general election.[11]
| U.S. House, Alabama District 7 General Election, 1998 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Earl Hilliard incumbent |
98% | 136,431 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 2% | 2,750 | |
| Total Votes | 139,181 | |||
1996
On November 5, 1996, Earl Hilliard won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Joe Powell (R) and Ken Hager (L) in the general election.[12]
| U.S. House, Alabama District 7 General Election, 1996 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Earl Hilliard incumbent |
71.1% | 136,651 | |
| Republican | Joe Powell | 27.1% | 52,142 | |
| Libertarian | Ken Hager | 1.6% | 3,157 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.1% | 163 | |
| Total Votes | 192,113 | |||
1994
On November 8, 1994, Earl Hilliard won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Alfred Middleton, Sr. (R) in the general election.[13]
| U.S. House, Alabama District 7 General Election, 1994 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Earl Hilliard incumbent |
76.9% | 116,150 | |
| Republican | Alfred Middleton, Sr. | 23% | 34,814 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.1% | 153 | |
| Total Votes | 151,117 | |||
1992
On November 3, 1992, Earl Hilliard won election to the United States House. He defeated Kevin Jones (R), James Lewis (I), James Chambliss (I), Michael Todd Mayer (L) and John Hawkins (Socialist Workers) in the general election.[14]
| U.S. House, Alabama District 7 General Election, 1992 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Earl Hilliard |
69.5% | 144,320 | |
| Republican | Kevin Jones | 17.4% | 36,086 | |
| Independent | James Lewis | 6% | 12,461 | |
| Independent | James Chambliss | 5.5% | 11,466 | |
| Libertarian | Michael Todd Mayer | 1% | 2,135 | |
| Socialist Workers | John Hawkins | 0.6% | 1,165 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0.1% | 140 | |
| Total Votes | 207,773 | |||
1990
On November 6, 1990, Claude Harris won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Michael Barker (R) in the general election.[15]
| U.S. House, Alabama District 7 General Election, 1990 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Claude Harris incumbent |
70.5% | 127,490 | |
| Republican | Michael Barker | 29.5% | 53,258 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0% | 46 | |
| Total Votes | 180,794 | |||
District map
Redistricting
2020-2023
On October 5, 2023, a three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama approved a new congressional district map. The map created a new district with a 48.7% Black voting-age population. In its decision, the panel said that "this plan satisfies all constitutional and statutory requirements while hewing as closely as reasonably possible to the Alabama legislature’s 2023 Plan."[16]
A three-judge panel of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ruled on September 5, 2023, that the revised congressional district boundaries that the Alabama legislature enacted on July 21, 2023, were not in accordance with the Voting Rights Act.[17] The state adopted the revised congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on June 8, 2023, that the state's congressional redistricting plan adopted on November 4, 2021, violated the Voting Rights Act and had to be redrawn to include a second majority-Black district.[18][19] The federal district court's order said, "this Court concluded that the 2023 Plan did not remedy the likely Section 2 violation found by this Court and affirmed by the Supreme Court. We, therefore, preliminarily enjoined Secretary Allen from using the 2023 Plan in Alabama’s upcoming 2024 congressional elections."[17]
On September 26, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the state's request to use the district boundaries overturned by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The decision was unanimous, with none of the justices dissenting. The ruling allowed for the continuation of Special Master Richard Allen's proposed district maps by a panel of federal judges. Lead plaintiff Evan Milligan said the ruling was a "victory for all Alabamians" and "definitely a really positive step." Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office had not issued a statement on the decision as of September 26.[20]
The federal district court ordered its Special Master to submit three proposed remedial plans with the court by September 25, 2023, that comply with the Voting Rights Act and "traditional redistricting principles to the extent reasonably practicable."[17] Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen's office said it would appeal the federal court's decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. A spokesperson for Allen issued a statement which said, "While we are disappointed in today’s decision, we strongly believe that the legislature’s map complies with the Voting Rights Act and the recent decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. We intend to promptly seek review from the Supreme Court to ensure that the State can use its lawful congressional districts in 2024 and beyond."[21] Special Master Richard Allen submitted the three maps for the judges' consideration on September 25. One map would create a second congressional district in southeastern Alabama with a 50.1% Black voting-age population, while the other two would create districts with either a 48.7% or 48.5% Black population.[22]
How does redistricting in Alabama work? The Alabama State Legislature is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. Both chambers of the state legislature must approve a single redistricting plan. State legislative district lines must be approved in the first legislative session following the United States Census. There is no statutory deadline for congressional redistricting. The governor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.[23]
The Alabama Constitution requires that state legislative district lines be contiguous. In addition, the state constitution mandates that state Senate districts "follow county lines except where necessary to comply with other legal requirements."[23]
In 2000, according to All About Redistricting, the legislative committee charged with redistricting "adopted guidelines ... asking that [congressional] districts be contiguous, reasonably compact, follow county lines where possible, and maintain communities of interest to the extent feasible." In addition, the committee agreed to "attempt to avoid contests between incumbents." Similar guidelines apply to state legislative redistricting. At its discretion, the state legislature may change these guidelines, which are non-binding.[23]
Below are the congressional maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for Alabama’s 2024 congressional elections.
Alabama District 7
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Alabama District 7
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
2010-2011
In 2011, the Alabama State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.
District analysis
- See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
- See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores
2026
Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+13. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 13 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Alabama's 7th the 100th most Republican district nationally.[24]
2024
Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+12. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 12 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Alabama's 7th the 115th most Democratic district nationally.[25]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 64.0%-35.1%.[26]
2022
Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+14. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 14 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Alabama's 7th the 100th most Democratic district nationally.[27]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 65.6% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 33.6%.[28]
2018
Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+20. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 20 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Alabama's 7th Congressional District the 63rd most Democratic nationally.[29]
FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 0.85. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.85 points toward that party.[30]
See also
- Redistricting in Alabama
- Alabama's 7th Congressional District election, 2024
- Alabama's 7th Congressional District election, 2022
- Alabama's 7th Congressional District election, 2020
- Alabama's 7th Congressional District election, 2018
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ The New York Times, "Alabama Primary Results," accessed March 1, 2016
- ↑ Alabama Republican Party, "2016 Qualified Alabama Republican Candidates," accessed November 10, 2015
- ↑ Alabama Democrats, "Qualified Democratic Candidates as of November 6, 2015," accessed November 10, 2015
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Alabama," November 6, 2012
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1998," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 1996," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 8, 1994," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 3, 1992," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 6, 1990," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, "Case 2:21-cv-01530-AMM," accessed October 6, 2023
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, "Milligan, et. al v. Allen, et. al," September 5, 2023
- ↑ CNN, "Alabama GOP-controlled legislature approves congressional map with just one majority-Black district despite court order," accessed July 21, 2023
- ↑ MSN, "Supreme Court rules in favor of Black voters in Alabama redistricting case," June 8, 2023
- ↑ Associated Press, "The Supreme Court will let Alabama’s congressional map be redrawn to better represent Black voters," September 26, 2023
- ↑ USA Today, "Federal court smacks down Alabama congressional maps in showdown over Black voting power," September 5, 2023
- ↑ CNN, "Special master in Alabama redistricting case proposes three House maps in a closely watched voting rights fight," September 25, 2023
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 All About Redistricting, "Alabama," accessed April 16, 2015
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)," accessed July 1, 2025
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
