Area voters have an opportunity to lift the Black Belt on Election Day when they cast their ballots for lieutenant governor and the 7th Congressional District seat.

There is one candidate in each race The Selma Times-Journal believes will keep the interests of the Black Belt to heart and help the region move in a positive direction.

In the lieutenant governor’s race, that candidate is Jim Folsom Jr. and in the 7th Congressional District, it’s Terri Sewell.

A lot has been made by his opposition about Folsom’s ties to gambling. That’s his opponent, Kay Ivey’s way of attempting to drive away attention from the half billion dollars taxpayers had to fork over to bail out the Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program.

Although it was not her fault, the PACT issue occurred on Ivey’s watch and she did not take aggressive action once the problem was uncovered. It was left up to Folsom to direct the Senate to develop a plan to fix the problem. In doing this, Folsom had to bring Democrats and Republicans together — a task as difficult as mixing oil and water. But Folsom brought the two sides together.

Folsom has been to the Black Belt. He knows the issues here. Although the lieutenant governor’s office has little power other than to preside over the Senate, there may come a time when an issue affecting the Black Belt comes down to a partisan vote. We would feel more confident with Folsom at the head of the table bringing both sides together.

It is in that same vein we endorse Terri Sewell for the 7th Congressional District seat vacated by incumbent Artur Davis, who gave up his seat in a failed run for governor.

Sewell is from the region. She has not forgotten her home base, which has been evidenced by her presence at crucial times even during the campaign. Many will remember Sewell attended a public hearing about the proposed expansion of Interstate 85. She asked hard questions and took notes for future research — all this before she had won the Democratic nomination in the primary.

Sewell is accessible. She makes herself available to people in person and by telephone or e-mail. She has worked and lived in circles close to the top financial and political decision makers in this country. Yet, Sewell recognizes the strength and wisdom of those who do not sit in boardrooms or in chambers of government.

Through her educational and legal experiences we feel Sewell will be able to see through the film of rhetoric and deal-making and be a champion of the causes that will improve the quality of life for the people of this region.