nbcnews:

“It’s our time”: A record number of black women are running for office in Alabama

Nearly three dozen African-American women are running for
office as Democrats in deep-red Alabama.

It’s an unprecedented number, according to
Democratic party officials. And many are running for the first time.

Many of the candidates were inspired by Doug Jones’
Senate win, the #MeToo movement, opposition to President Trump and a desire to
carry on former President Obama’s legacy.

Jameria Moore, an attorney, is running for a judgeship on
the Jefferson County Probate Court.

“It’s so important that we step up, that we show
the nation that we can lead,” she said. “That, here in Alabama, we’re ready to
lead our state into the future.”

Cheri Gardner, a candidate for Jefferson County court clerk,
says she felt “electrified” when Jones won.

“I don’t know if it was Doug Jones as much
it was Roy Moore himself lighting the fire under African Americans and
African-American women,” Gardner told NBC News.

Pamela Wilson Cousins is running for district judge in
Jefferson County.

“If I ever thought there was a time for me
to run, this was it,” she said.

Cassandra Gooley and Cynthia Ray, who work at the VA Medical
Center, have been inspired by the number of African-American women seeking
office.

“Women, and certainly black women, have
been looked over in every arena,” Ray said. “It’s our time.”

Read more about the record number of black women running for office in Alabama here.