Malika Sanders Fortier and Senator Hank Sanders
Alabama State Senator Hank Sanders of Selma, currently the longest serving Alabama legislator, with 35 years service, has decided not to run for a tenth term in the Alabama Legislature. Sanders represents Senate District 23, which includes Dallas and parts of ten other rural counties in the legislature.
Sanders said in a statement to the press and the public, “I qualified to run in January. However, when I took off 24 hours for our 48th wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago, I began to realize what a heavy load I carry. I realized that when you cannot get 24 hours away except for your wedding anniversary, then it is time to reevaluate. I thought and prayed on it.”
Sanders continued, “On February the 9th, I came to the conclusion that I did not want to have to wait for another anniversary over a long period of years to get away for 24 hours. I asked my daughter Malika Sanders-Fortier if she would consider qualifying and running for the Senate District 23 seat.
“We discussed it, and she said yes. I felt great because Malika has my spirit. She is a lawyer, a mother, and is dedicated to lifting the community. I am convinced that she can carry on as well as I could, and I will not have to struggle to take 24 hours for another anniversary or other special occasion.”
Malika Sanders Fortier, is the only candidate other than her father to qualify to run for the Senate District 23 seat. Baring any challenges from Independent and write-in candidates, she will be elected to the seat in the November 6, 2018 General Election. Foriter is the mother of six children. She is married to Rev. Franklin Fortier, who is the General Manger of Radio Station WBFZ. She has been active in civil rights and community affairs since high school. She is a practicing attorney with the Chestnut, Sanders and Sanders law firm in Selma.
Hank Sanders said, “I will withdraw my candidacy for the Democratic Primary in the coming days, and I will serve out the remainder of this term, which is approximately nine months. I want to express my heartfelt thank you to the people for electing me to serve on so many occasions. It has been my honor to serve in the Alabama Senate, and I will continue to serve, even when I am not in elected office.”