Ammie Akin is running as Republican in Alabama's 7th Congressional District

June 26, 2026 – BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -Ammie Akin has formally launched her campaign to unseat Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-Selma) in Alabama's Seventh Congressional District. Akin is an entrepreneur, educator, and longtime advocate for adults, teens, and children with disabilities. She is a candidate in the August 11 special Republican primary election for Alabama's 7th Congressional District.

"The people of Congressional District 7 are ready for fresh, productive leadership focused on results-not scoring political points," said Akin in a statement. "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."

The Seventh Congressional District has been represented by Rep. Sewell since her first election in 2010.

In 2024, Sewell defeated educator Robin Litaker (R) 63.7% - 186,723 votes to 36.3% - 106,312 votes.

In 2022, Sewell defeated educator Beatrice Nichols (R) 63.5 - 123,233 votes to 34.8% - 67,416 votes. Libertarian Gavin Goodman received 1.7% of the vote - 3,212%.

The Akin campaign claims that the Seventh Congressional District is more friendly to Republicans after the district was reshaped following a recent Supreme Court ruling, allowing the state to draw its own map. The new map makes CD7 more competitive, but it is still majority minority – the last in Alabama after CD2 was redrawn to be just 28% Black by the Republican dominated Alabama state Legislature.

The Aken campaign claims that the redrawing of the district combined with a growing GOP trend in CD7 – Sewell beat Don Chamberlain with 75.8% of the vote (232,520 votes) in 2012 – makes CD7 one of the most closely watched races in Alabama and across the nation."

A GOP steal in CD7, combined with a likely GOP pickup in CD2 – currently represented by Congressman Shomari Figures (D-Mobile) – has the potential to determine the balance of power in Congress if the partisan divide is similar to the current congress.

Akin is a former classroom teacher, principal, and college professor with nearly 25 years of experience. She has a doctorate in education (Ed.D) from Samford University.

In 2023, Akin and her husband, Will, introduced a plan to revitalize a dormant elementary school in partnership with city leaders and local industry. The project was funded through private donations and is known as Hub in the Hills. That effort is nearing completion and will transform the school into a modern, collaborative campus where nonprofits and community organizations share space and resources, allowing more of every donated dollar to go directly toward serving people rather than maintaining buildings. The campus will include programming for adults with special needs and serve families from across Alabama and beyond, while creating jobs and expanding career opportunities locally.

"I've spent my life helping people overcome barriers so families and communities can grow stronger," Akin said. "That's not a political slogan, it's just what I know how to do."

Alabama Republican Party Chairman Scott Stadthagen has made clear that he hopes to redraw Alabama's Congressional District maps (now that the federal courts are no longer interfering) to seven majority Republican districts, but this pro-GOP map (if it passes the Legislature) would not be in place until the 2028 election.

Akin said that Alabama can't wait for change.

"Children only get one chance at third grade," Akin said. "A child struggling to read today becomes a teenager struggling to graduate tomorrow. A family driving two hours for healthcare can't wait years for access closer to home. A farmer doesn't get to postpone planting season while waiting for answers, and a small business owner can't put payroll on hold and come back next year."

"The people closest to a problem are usually the people most capable of finding the solution," Akin said. "Our teachers aren't struggling because they don't work hard. Our healthcare workers aren't exhausted because they don't care. The farmers, cattle producers, timber workers, manufacturers, educators, healthcare professionals, first responders, veterans, and small business owners across this district are the people who keep Alabama moving forward, and too often, the people doing the most important work are too busy doing it to advocate for themselves. My commitment to you is that your voice will be heard loud and clear in Washington."

Akin said that her plan is to:

- Put Alabama First by prioritizing families, workers, small businesses, and local communities over politics.

- Fight wasteful Washington spending and demand responsible, accountable use of taxpayer dollars.

- Cut red tape so Alabama businesses can grow, create jobs, and compete.

- Strengthen rural healthcare by improving access to quality care and helping rural hospitals stay open.

- Grow rural Alabama by supporting agriculture, timber, job creation, and policies that keep families rooted in their communities.

- Strengthen education by building a true partnership between educators, parents, and the community so every child has the opportunity to succeed.

- Expand broadband access so students, patients, workers, and small businesses are not left behind.

- Invest in modern infrastructure that supports economic development, safer roads, and a better quality of life.

- Support law enforcement, first responders, and the military with the resources they need to keep our communities safe and our nation secure.

- Deliver commonsense results by listening first, solving real problems, and fighting for the people of Alabama.

"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 is running in the Republican primary on August 11 against David Perry.

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