Kenneth Paschal

Kenneth Paschal (born December 9, 1966) is an American politician from the state of Alabama. A member of the Republican Party, Paschal was elected to represent District 73 in the Alabama House of Representatives in a July 2021 special election.[2] He is the first black Republican elected to the Alabama Legislature in almost 140 years,[3] and the first to serve in the state legislature since W. P. Williams of Madison County served a two-year term from 1882 to 1884.[4]

Kenneth Paschal
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
from the 73rd district
Assumed office
July 14, 2021
Preceded byMatt Fridy
Personal details
Born
Kenneth Lavoyd Paschal[1]

(1966-12-09) December 9, 1966
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Pelham, Alabama, U.S.
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1985–2006
RankFirst Sergeant

Career

Paschal served 21 years in the United States Army, retiring in 2006 as a first sergeant.[5][6][7]

Paschal worked with the Alabama Family Rights Association.[7] He also served on the Shelby County Republican Executive Committee and was a commander of the American Legion.[5][6]

Paschal ran for state representative following Matt Fridy's resignation in order to join the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.[6][7] Among his other positions, Paschal campaigned against critical race theory.[6] He won the special election on July 13, 2021, becoming the first black Republican elected to the Alabama Legislature since the Reconstruction era.[6][7] Paschal was sworn in the following day.[8]

Personal life

Paschal lives in Pelham, Alabama.[5] He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Pelham.[7]

References
  1. "Kenneth Paschal". KennethPaschal.com. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  2. "Kenneth Paschal". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  3. Koplowitz, Howard (July 13, 2021). "Kenneth Paschal wins Alabama House seat; becomes Legislature's only Black Republican". Alabama Live. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  4. Bailey, Richard, "Neither Carpetbaggers not Scalawags", published 1991.
  5. "Republican Kenneth Paschal wins Alabama House District 73 in historic campaign". WVTM-TV. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  6. Moseley, Brandon (July 14, 2021). "Kenneth Paschal wins House District 73 special election". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  7. Chandler, Kim (July 14, 2021). "Alabama elects first Black Republican to House in 140 years". Associated Press. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  8. Reeves, Jay; Chandler, Kim (July 14, 2021). "1st elected Alabama Black Republican: GOP 'open to everyone'". Associated Press. Retrieved July 14, 2021.


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