Great-Grandson of Sharecroppers Runs for U.S. Senate in Alabama

Guest Opinion by Everett Wess

On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the people of Alabama will have an opportunity to choose who will represent them in the United States Senate. I humbly ask for your support and your vote.

My story begins long before I became an attorney, municipal judge, community leader, or candidate for public office. It begins with my great-grandfather and grandfather, who were sharecroppers in Neshoba County, Mississippi, near Philadelphia, during one of the most difficult periods in our nation's history.

They lived through a time of racial turmoil and violence. During those years, civil rights leader Medgar Evers was assassinated in Jackson, Mississippi. Three civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner were murdered near Philadelphia, Mississippi, while working to secure voting rights for African Americans.

Despite these hardships, my great-grandfather and grandfather persevered. Through hard work, sacrifice, faith, and determination, they acquired and maintained acres of farmland. They built a self-sufficient life, raising their families, working the land, bartering with neighbors, and creating opportunities for future generations.

As I grew up, I admired what they accomplished. I understood how difficult it was for them to achieve success in an era when so many barriers stood in their way. Their example taught me the value of perseverance, responsibility, and service.

In 2003, God blessed me with the opportunity to purchase the property near Philadelphia, Mississippi they had worked so hard to acquire. Many African American families have struggled to retain ancestral land across generations. I have made it my mission to protect and preserve that property and the legacy it represents. I carry the spirit of my great-grandfather and grandfather with me every day, and I hope they would be proud of the path I have chosen.

Their legacy reminds me that every generation has a responsibility to protect what previous generations fought to achieve.

Just as my ancestors preserved their land, we must preserve the rights that generations of Americans fought to secure. Leaders across Alabama and throughout our nation helped make possible the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. More recently, my friend Evan Milligan and other plaintiffs successfully challenged Alabama's congressional map and helped secure a second congressional district that provides greater representation for Alabama voters.

I believe we must continue the work of protecting and preserving the voice and vote of every citizen.

As your United States Senator, I will work to:

• Protect voting rights and ensure every eligible citizen has access to the ballot box.
• Defend constitutional rights, including due process and protections against unlawful searches and seizures.
• Expand economic opportunities and create jobs for Alabama families.
• Strengthen educational opportunities for our children and future generations.
• Improve access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural communities.
• Ensure that our veterans receive the medical care and services they have earned through their service to our nation.

These are not new commitments for me. Service has been a part of my life for many years.

I am proud to serve on the board of Childhaven in Cullman, Alabama, a residential home that provides care and support for adolescent young ladies who need a safe place to live. I am also proud to serve on the board of LegacyWorks in Birmingham, Alabama, an organization dedicated to mentoring and guiding at-risk young men toward productive and successful futures.

Throughout my life, I have worked to preserve, protect, and serve. Sometimes standing up for what is right is not popular. Sometimes there is opposition when we seek to protect rights, opportunities, and communities. But doing what is right is never the wrong choice.

My ancestors taught me that progress requires courage. The civil rights movement taught us that justice requires perseverance. My life experiences have taught me that public service requires action.

On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, I ask for your vote and your support. Together, we can protect the rights we have earned, expand opportunities for future generations, and build a stronger Alabama for all.

Vote Attorney Everett Wess for United States Senate.

For more information on Wess and his campaign: https://wessforsenate.com.