The historic Mabry-Jones House on Tremont provided the setting for a fundraiser for Terri Sewell’s campaign for Congress.

Sewell, a Selma native, is in the race for the 7th congressional seat that Rep. Artur Davis will leave vacant by running for governor. The district includes Birmingham, Tuscaloosa and nine counties of the Black Belt.

Sewell, dressed in a red cocktail dress, greeted hometown folks as they entered the home Monday evening for the fundraiser. Catesby Jones, one of the hosts for the evening, stressed how important it is for Selma, Dallas County and the Black Belt region to have a voice in Congress.

He pointed to Sewell’s candidacy as an opportunity for that voice. Sewell grew up here and her parents still live here, Jones said.

“I don’t think there could be any better situation for us,” he said.

Records with the Federal Election Commission show Sewell has yet to report any contributions, although she is registered with the agency.

By law, federal candidates must file periodic reports with the FEC that list each contribution of $200 or more that the campaign receives and each disbursement of $20 or more that the campaign makes. During a non-election year, the candidate’s committee files these on a semi-annual basis and on a quarterly basis during election years.

Sewell was educated in Selma’s public schools and graduated with honors from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. After law school, she worked as a clerk under Judge U.W. Clemon.

She is on the Community Advisory Board of UAB Minority Health Initiative and on the governing board of the Alabama Council on Economic Education.