Malika Sanders-Fortier

Malika Asha Sanders-Fortier (born 1973) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Alabama Senate from the 23rd district. She assumed office on November 7, 2018. She was a Democratic candidate in the 2022 Alabama gubernatorial election.^[1]

Malika Sanders-Fortier
Member of the Alabama Senate from the 23rd district
In office November 7, 2018 – November 9, 2022
Preceded by	Henry Sanders
Succeeded by	Robert Stewart
Personal details
Born	Malika Asha Sanders 1973 (age 50–51) Selma, Alabama, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Relatives	Henry Sanders (father) Faya Ora Rose Touré (mother)
Education	Spelman College (BA) Birmingham School of Law (JD)

Early life and education

Sanders-Fortier was born in Selma, Alabama.^[2] She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Spelman College and a Juris Doctor from the Birmingham School of Law.^[3]

Career

After graduating from college, Sanders-Fortier returned to Selma and worked as the executive director of 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement. She is a member of the Alabama State Bar and the Black Belt Lawyers Association.^[4] Sanders-Fortier was elected to the Alabama Senate in November 2018, succeeding her father, Henry Sanders.^[5][6][7] In January 2021, Sanders-Fortier introduced legislation to rename the Edmund Pettus Bridge.^[8][9][10]

In January 2022, Sanders-Fortier announced that she would not seek re-election, and that her father would attempt to reclaim his old seat in her place. That same month, Sanders-Fortier qualified as a Democratic candidate for governor instead. The two advanced to a runoff on June 21, 2022, with Yolanda Flowers winning the nomination.^[11]

Electoral results

2022 Democratic gubernatorial primary^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Yolanda Rochelle Flowers	56,859	33.8%
	Democratic	Arthur Kennedy	15,654	9.3%
	Democratic	Chad Martin	9,360	5.6%
	Democratic	Patricia Jamieson Salter	19,665	11.7%
	Democratic	Malika Sanders-Fortier	54,636	32.5%
	Democratic	Doug Smith	11,900	7.1%
Total votes			168,074	100.0%

2018 Alabama Senate election, District 23^[13]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Malika Sanders-Fortier	30,193	65.53
	Independent	Mark Story	15,796	34.28
	Write-in		88	0.19

References

1. Sharp, John (January 30, 2022). "Where are the Alabama Democrats? 2022 election shaping up as 'grim' reality for party". AL.com. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
2. "SENATOR MALIKA SANDERS-FORTIER". selmacenter. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
3. "Malika Sanders-Fortier". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
4. "SENATOR SANDERS-FORTIER, MALIKA". www.legislature.state.al.us. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
5. Brown, Robbie (2012-08-24). "Bust of Civil War General Stirs Anger in Alabama". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
6. Benn, Alvin. "Sanders family leads Alabama's largest black law firm". The Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
7. Alex AuBuchon (18 February 2019). "Daughter Takes Over Longest-Serving State Senator's Seat". www.apr.org. Associated Press. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
8. "Sen. Malika Sanders-Fortier to introduce legislation to let Selma leaders rename Edmund Pettus Bridge". Selma Sun. 18 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
9. "Renaming Alabama bridge for John Lewis opposed in Selma". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
10. "'Honor the local people of Selma': Edmund Pettus Bridge moves closer to being renamed". NBC News. 19 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
11. "Malika Sanders-Fortier qualifies to run for Alabama governor". Selma Sun. January 28, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
12. "2022 Alabama Democratic Gubernatorial Primary". Ballotpedia. January 28, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
13. Merrill, John (November 6, 2018). "2018 General election results" (PDF). Alabama Secretary of State. Retrieved April 19, 2022.