By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Democratic Candidate Lizzetta McConnell held her campaign kickoff rally at the Ashbury Hotel & Suites in Mobile on Wednesday.
The event drew more than three dozen supporters from across the 1st Congressional District.
McConnell spoke to the crowd on the issues of universal healthcare, poverty, education, women rights, human rights, criminal justice, jobs, and many more.
McConnell said that she and Democrats have a plan to offer a better way to bring opportunity, security, and unity to South Alabama and the state of Alabama. McConnell was well received by a audience of family, friends, and supporters.
“I’m running for Congress for the working class, poor people, and middle class of this district and State,” McConnell said. “We must do better and we can do better in leadership, and answering to the people.”
“We are here to tonight to support the People’s Candidate, a candidate that will be a voice for the people, all people and not just a few people,” said McConnell’s campaign manager Gary Johnson. “We are going to work day and night to win this primary, and we are putting together a action plan to win again as Democrats in November in South Alabama. Bradley Byrne we are coming for you this November.”
On Friday, McConnell was received the NAACP Civil Disobedience-Courage Award in Montgomery.
McConnell has a Medical Assistants Diploma from Remington College of Mobile. She is a Clarke County High School graduate.
McConnell is the former President of the Mobile County NAACP, is the Chairwoman of WIN (Women In NAACP), served as Asst. Secretary of Alabama NAACP, is a member of the American Medial Technologists and a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She served as Ambassador of TRIO-Student Support Services of Coastal Alabama Community College and is a mentor for Big Sisters and Big Brothers of South Alabama.
“I will not make empty promises I can not possibly keep,” McConnell said on her website. “I will be a woman of my word. I will walk humbly before God and man. I will make my contributions to society a positive and passionate experience. I will serve God individually wholeheartedly and my country-mankind collectively. I will strive to be the change I wish to see in society. I will treat everyone with dignity and kindness. I will be true to myself and deal truthfully with others. I will hold myself accountable to others, and I will hold others accountable to me.”
“I love being a woman,” McConnell said. “I embrace my femininity, blackness, and intelligence and wear them as symbols of strength, beauty and courage. I am not afraid to serve and I am no stranger to hard work. I am an over-comer and over achiever who does not fear undertaking responsibilities and problem solving. I am proud to be a black and unapologetically brilliant.”
“I pledge to esteem highly the office and title of Congresswoman,” McConnell continued. “As the daughter of Bobby James Welch, a Vietnam Veteran and Melissa Ann McRae, a cook. In their memory and legacy, I promise to be a faithful steward of all entrusted to me. They taught me to be honest in all my ways. They instilled in me good work ethics and gave me responsibilities early in life, managing the home and caring for my two sisters while they worked. I am willing and ready to serve women, children, and the working people. I can represent well because I can relate and empathize. I know the struggle. I live it daily. I know the anguish, I see it every day. I am acquainted and I am you, because we are one.”
McConnell faces Robert Kennedy, Jr. in the June 5, 2018 Democratic primary.
The winner of the Democratic Primary will face Congressman Bradley Byrne, R-Montrose, in the November 5 general election.
