Moundville Republican Grabs GOP Nod In 7th Congressional District Race

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Moundville Republican Beatrice "Bea" Nichols has qualified and cleared the GOP Primary stage without a challenger as she gears up to take on Democratic incumbent Congresswoman Terri Sewell in the Nov. 8 General Election.

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A mother, wife and school teacher, Nichols is a 1992 graduate of Hale County High School and is currently pursuing her PhD in special education at the University of Alabama. She announced her candidacy in October 2021 and did not see a challenger qualify against her in the May Republican Primary.

"For 10 years, the voters of this district have had no real choice for this office, and despite the best efforts of the incumbent, we are still dealing with the same problems in our economy, our schools, and homes," she said. "I know the problems mothers and families face trying to raise their children, pay their bills, seek medical care, and prepare for the future. We cannot continue doing the same things and expecting different outcomes. It is time to focus on the people of this district."

Nichols said her campaign focuses on a new approach to K-12 education, a new vision for higher education in the 7th Congressional District and a plan to bring relief to small businesses in rural areas like Forkland, along with inner city areas in Birmingham.

"A high school diploma is not the goal," she said. "But an educated, resourceful, inspired, goal orientated individual is the goal, and we are selling our children short if we expect anything less."

Perhaps the biggest plank in her educational platform focuses on the creation of a new state university — the Alabama Conservation College — which would be based on the site of the former Judson College campus in Marion.

This new educational institution, she said, would provide students the opportunity to learn about forestry, fisheries, wildlife, livestock, and other natural resource management.

On the economic side of her campaign, Nichols said if she is elected, she would undertake efforts to waive the unemployment taxes put on small businesses by using a portion of funding from the federal American Recovery Plan.

"My native American heritage has taught me that we can't set back and expect someone else to do things for us," she said. "We can and should pray for Divine intervention as our Founding Fathers did, but we must also get involved and work for our families, our communities, and our district."

Sewell, a popular Democrat in a noticeably blue congressional district, will no doubt present a formidable challenge for the political newcomer from Hale County, as she holds a sizable fundraising advantage. Sewell also cleared the primary stage without a challenger.

According to campaign finance records, Sewell received $815,740.12 in contributions during the 2021 reporting period, which covers the entire calendar year, bringing her total cash on hand to $2.44 million.

Conversely, Nichols garnered $10,103.36 in campaign donations during the same time, spending a large share on campaign expenditures and reported $3,165.22 in cash on hand as the campaign season gets in full swing.

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