Summary
Kenneth Paschal (born December 9, 1966) is an American politician from the state of Alabama. A member of the Republican Party, Paschal was elected to represent District 73 in the Alabama House of Representatives in a July 2021 special election.[2] He is the first black Republican elected to the Alabama Legislature in almost 140 years,[3] and the first to serve in the state legislature since W. P. Williams of Madison County served a two-year term from 1882 to 1884.[4]
Kenneth Paschal | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 73rd district | |
| Assumed office July 14, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Matt Fridy |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kenneth Lavoyd Paschal[1] December 9, 1966 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Residence(s) | Pelham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1985–2006 |
| Rank | First Sergeant |
Career edit
Paschal served 21 years in the United States Army, retiring in 2006 as a first sergeant.[5][6][7]
Paschal worked with the Alabama Family Rights Association.[7] He also served on the Shelby County Republican Executive Committee and was a commander of the American Legion.[5][6]
Paschal ran for state representative following Matt Fridy's resignation in order to join the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.[6][7] Among his other positions, Paschal campaigned against critical race theory.[6] He won the special election on July 13, 2021, becoming the first black Republican elected to the Alabama Legislature since the Reconstruction era.[6][7] Paschal was sworn in the following day.[8]
Personal life edit
Paschal lives in Pelham, Alabama.[5] He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Pelham.[7]
References edit
- ^ "Kenneth Paschal". KennethPaschal.com. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
- ^ "Kenneth Paschal". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
- ^ Koplowitz, Howard (July 13, 2021). "Kenneth Paschal wins Alabama House seat; becomes Legislature's only Black Republican". Alabama Live. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
- ^ Bailey, Richard, "Neither Carpetbaggers not Scalawags", published 1991.
- ^ a b c "Republican Kenneth Paschal wins Alabama House District 73 in historic campaign". WVTM-TV. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Moseley, Brandon (July 14, 2021). "Kenneth Paschal wins House District 73 special election". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Chandler, Kim (July 14, 2021). "Alabama elects first Black Republican to House in 140 years". Associated Press. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
- ^ Reeves, Jay; Chandler, Kim (July 14, 2021). "1st elected Alabama Black Republican: GOP 'open to everyone'". Associated Press. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
External links edit
- Campaign website