--- title: "Sewell vs. Akin: 2026 Alabama’s 7th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-al-07" updated: "2026-08-12" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 Alabama’s 7th District race: Terri Sewell (D) vs. Ammie Akin (R) Rating: Safe D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 12, 2026 Incumbent Democrat Terri Sewell faces Republican challenger Ammie Akin in the special general election for Alabama's 7th Congressional District on November 3, 2026. The special election was scheduled after mid-decade redistricting and court rulings reinstated the state's 2023 congressional map. ## Candidates - **Terri Sewell** (Democrat) · [Campaign site](https://sewellforcongress.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Terri_Sewell) - **Ammie Akin** (Republican) · [Campaign site](https://www.akinforcongress.com/) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Ammie_Akin) ## Issues ### Jobs and economy Salience: high **Terri Sewell:** Supports federal investment in job growth Sewell advocates for federal spending and policy initiatives to create good-paying jobs, tackle unemployment, and support working families. Her legislative record includes voting for major economic and infrastructure investment packages. - Voted for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. - Voted for the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. - Voted against Republican budget proposals, including H.R. 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025) and the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023. > “We must create good-paying jobs, and support the millions of Americans who work hard every day to take care of their families. This means working diligently to address the immediate problems of unemployment, falling home prices and limping credit markets, while laying out a long-term plan that ensures future economic growth that benefits all Americans.” > — Terri Sewell, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Terri_Sewell) **Ammie Akin:** No documented position in our sources ### Healthcare Salience: high **Terri Sewell:** Supports affordable universal healthcare access Sewell supports expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare across urban and rural communities in Alabama. She supported the Affordable Care Act and voted for provisions allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices. - Supported President Obama's healthcare plan and the Affordable Care Act. - Voted for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to extend ACA subsidies and allow Medicare negotiation of prescription drug prices. - Voted against terminating CDC COVID-19 vaccine rules for foreign travelers and ending the national COVID state of emergency in 2023. > “Every person in the 7th Congressional District, Alabama and across America deserves access to affordable, quality health care, whether you live in a city or a small town. That is why I strongly support President Obama’s health care plan and the health care reform signed in to law last March.” > — Terri Sewell, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Terri_Sewell) **Ammie Akin:** No documented position in our sources ### Immigration and border security Salience: high **Terri Sewell:** Supports targeted enforcement and border detention Sewell has voted for specific enforcement measures regarding undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes or DUIs, while opposing broad Republican immigration reforms. She voted against the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. - Voted for the Laken Riley Act (S.5) requiring DHS to detain noncitizens arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. - Voted for the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025 (H.R. 875) to make driving while impaired grounds for deportation or inadmissibility. - Voted against the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2) and opposed impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. **Ammie Akin:** No documented position in our sources ### Elections and voting rights Salience: medium **Terri Sewell:** Supports expanding federal voting access Sewell advocates for federal voting rights legislation to expand voter registration and mail-in options. She serves on the House Administration Committee and its Subcommittee on Elections. - Voted for the For the People Act of 2021 (H.R. 1) to expand automatic voter registration, early voting, and vote-by-mail access. - Voted against the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. - Serves as ranking member on the Committee on House Administration Subcommittee on Elections. **Ammie Akin:** No documented position in our sources ### Energy and environment Salience: medium **Terri Sewell:** Supports green energy transition investments Sewell supports federal investments in clean energy and climate change mitigation. She has consistently voted against Republican legislation designed to boost domestic fossil fuel production. - Voted for the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which dedicated $369 billion to energy security and climate initiatives. - Voted against the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1) that sought to increase domestic production of oil, natural gas, and coal. - Voted against resolutions aimed at limiting environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) considerations in investment plans. **Ammie Akin:** No documented position in our sources ### Education Salience: medium **Terri Sewell:** Supports public school funding investment Sewell views public education as crucial for breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a skilled workforce in West Alabama. She emphasizes educational equity regardless of socioeconomic status. - Emphasizes strengthening public schools to break intergenerational poverty in rural and urban areas. - Voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28). > “A successful workforce starts with a solid education base. As a product of public schools and the daughter of two educators, I know firsthand the difference that a strong education can make in achieving the American Dream, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic background. Improving education can help break the cycle of poverty that affects families all across west Alabama.” > — Terri Sewell, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Terri_Sewell) **Ammie Akin:** No documented position in our sources ### Social Security Salience: low **Terri Sewell:** Supports strengthening Social Security benefits Sewell serves on the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security and advocates for protecting social safety net programs. She supported bipartisan legislation reforming benefit offsets for public sector retirees. - Serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security. - Voted for the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 (H.R. 82) to reduce Social Security benefit offsets for government retirees and spouses. - Voted against proposals expanding work requirements for SNAP and TANF in the Limit, Save, Grow Act. **Ammie Akin:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/al-07-house-election-winner) — AL-07 House Election Winner: Democrats 97.9%, Republicans 1.4% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/KXHOUSERACE-AL07-26) — AL-07 House winner?: Terri Sewell 98.8%, Ammie Akin 1.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-al-07)