ATMORE - Susan E. Smith, a City Council member and businesswoman from Atmore, Alabama, has qualified as a Democrat for the vacant Senate seat previously held by Marc Keahey of Grove Hill.

Senator Keahey qualified for re-election by the deadline but then withdrew, leaving Senate District 22 with a Democratic vacancy.

The Party’s Executive Committee established May 30, 2014 as the deadline for individuals to qualify to fill the vacancy.

The lone qualifier was Smith, who will advance to the November General Election against the winner of the July Republican Run-off between Greg Albritton and Harry D’Olive Jr..

Smith is running to represent Senate District 22, one of the largest in the state, and an area in which she worked with the American Red Cross.

 “I will make sure each of the 8 counties gets my attention and representation. No one will be left out,” Smith said.

 District 22 includes all or parts of Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, and Washington Counties.

“Susan Smith’s government experience, membership in organizations as diverse as AEA and ALFA, her volunteer service, and her work with the Red Cross, Leadership Alabama, Escambia County School Board, and other organizations prepared her for the Alabama State Senate. She will represent the people of District 22 quite well,” Nancy Worley, Chair of the Alabama Democratic Party, said.