By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com (Photo by J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

ALABAMA — U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, the lone Democrat in Alabama's congressional election, stated over the weekend she was looking "very closely" at a run for U.S. Senate in 2022.

Sewell, who has represented Alabama's 7th congressional district since 2011, is the first Black woman elected to Congress from Alabama.

"I look forward to exploring my options when it comes to that," said Sewell in a TV interview with The Cross Connection on MSNBC. "Obviously, we'll look very closely at it...but I want you to know that I am committed to making that we represent Alabama, all Alabamians, in the United States House of Representatives, and I look forward to continuing to do that."

If she decided to run, Sewell would become the State of Alabama's first Black Senator and first woman elected. Thus far, two women have represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate, but both were appointed.

"I disagree with the premise that somehow Alabama is not, we cannot turn Alabama blue like we did Georgia," said Sewell. "The reality is that we can expand the electorate."

At press time, no Democrat had announced a run for the Senate seat being vacated due to Sen. Richard Shelby's retirement.