Kenneth Paschal
Kenneth Paschal | |
---|---|
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 73th district | |
Assumed office July 14, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Matt Fridy |
Personal details | |
Political party | Republican |
Residence | Pelham, Alabama, U.S. |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | –2006 |
Rank | First Sergeant |
Kenneth Paschal 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.[1] He is the first black Republican elected to the Alabama Legislature in almost 140 years,[2] 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.[3]
Career[]
Paschal served 21 years in the United States Army, retiring in 2006 as a first sergeant.[4][5][6]
Paschal worked with the Alabama Family Rights Association.[6] He also served on the Shelby County Republican Executive Committee and was a commander of the American Legion.[4][5]
Paschal ran for state representative following Matt Fridy's resignation in order to join the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.[5][6] Among his other positions, Paschal campaigned against critical race theory.[5] He won the special election on July 13, 2021, becoming the first black Republican elected to the Alabama Legislature since the Reconstruction era.[5][6] Paschal was sworn in the following day.[7]
Personal life[]
Paschal lives in Pelham, Alabama.[4] He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Pelham.[6]
References[]
- ^ "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[]
- Living people
- Members of the Alabama House of Representatives
- Alabama Republicans
- 21st-century American politicians
- African-American state legislators in Alabama
- United States Army non-commissioned officers
- African-American military personnel
- African-American Christians
- Black conservatism in the United States
- 21st-century African-American politicians
- Alabama politician stubs