In the process, he became the first Black person since Jeramiah Haralson in 1877 to represent Alabama in Congress.

The 7th lost its share of Montgomery, and was pushed further into Birmingham, absorbing a large number of mostly white precincts in that city.

The campaign that year was focused on Hilliard's record in office and alleged ethical issues, as well as race, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and terrorism.

[4] In 2001, Hilliard voted against a bill funding increases in military support to Israel and opposing criminalization of Palestinian politicians.

[citation needed] A third candidate also ran in the Democratic primary, and Hilliard finished with the most votes but failed to win a majority; under Alabama law, he then faced a rematch with second-place finisher Davis in a run-off election.