If Davis Runs : What Happens?

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Thu Jan 29, 2009 at 11:59:50 AM CST

Roll Call has a story today on the many potential replacements for Davis. Unfortunately you need a paid subscription to link to the story. I received the full text of the story in an email.

Most of the article focuses on Earl Hilliard Jr. and the storyline in how he might attempt to  avenge his father's loss to Davis 8 years earlier.
Yet Hilliard notes no animosity toward Davis.

We don't have any bad blood to my knowledge," he said. "I'll admit we don't have necessarily a political relationship, but there have been several times when we've been on the same team,"

Other well known names throughout the district that might enter the race include Jefferson County Commissioner Shelia Smoot. Smoot blogged on our site last week from the inauguration.

"I am definitely considering ... making a strong run for [Davis'] seat," Smoot said on Wednesday.
She praised the work Davis has done as a Congressman and said she and others wish he would stay put. But if he goes, she said she is ready to step up and is already putting together an exploratory committee for a Congressional bid.
"If he leaves, we need a strong person and strong advocate for those folks in the Black Belt and the 7th Congressional district," she said.  

State Legislative Candidates mentioned include State Senators Rodger Smitherman and Bobby Singleton.State Representative Merika Coleman has also been mentioned but she is likely going to run for E.B. McClain's vacated Senate Seat.  

Also listed as a contender is Birmingham attorney Terri Sewell who is known amongst political circles, but a neophyte in electoral politics.