By Chip Brownlee
Alabama Political Reporter
Alabama’s first openly LGBTQ lawmaker is planning to seek another term next year. Rep. Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham, announced her plans Tuesday.
Todd, a Democrat who was elected back in 2006, represents a majority-black district in Birmingham. Before becoming a legislator, she worked with the National Organization for Women and later for UAB.
She was also an associate Director at AIDS Alabama.
After a contentious primary battle in 2006 to get on the General Election ballot in 2006, Todd has had no problem keeping the seat. In 2010, she was unopposed in the primary and the general. In 2014, she defeated two Democrats with more than 60 percent of the vote.
During her time in the Legislature, Todd has focused on poverty issues, raising the minimum wage and giving workforce development to low income Alabamians. She has also combated tax incentives by pushing for annual reports on the returns from those incentive programs.
Todd’s district includes Crestwood, Forest Park, Avondale, Downtown Birmingham, Bruid Hills, Iron Dale and Centerpoint.
Todd was formerly the director of Alabama’s Human Rights Campaign, but she resigned her post after an ethics complaint was filed over whether she could serve in both her position at HRC — an advocacy group for LGBT people — and in the Legislature.
Todd has said she was forced to resign because the Ethics Decision was too vague.
