Everett Wess is an attorney and civil rights advocate from Birmingham, Alabama, running as a Democrat for U.S. Senate. A member of the Avondale Church of Christ, Wess brings extensive legal experience focused on criminal defense and civil rights. He earned his Juris Doctor from Birmingham School of Law and holds an MBA from Alabama A&M University. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from Alabama A&M and an Associate of Arts in Music Education from Selma University. Since 2001, he has served as Managing Partner of The Wess Law Firm, P.C., focusing on estate planning and criminal defense, particularly representing individuals lacking resources or voice in the system.
Everett Wess is from Birmingham, Alabama, and attended segregated schools in his early years. He earned his Juris Doctor from Birmingham School of Law and holds an MBA from Alabama A&M University. He earned a B.S. in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from Alabama A&M and an A.A. in Music Education from Selma University. Since 2001, he has served as Managing Partner of The Wess Law Firm, P.C., with a focus on estate planning and criminal defense. He served ten years on the Federal Criminal Justice Act panel, representing indigent defendants in federal court. He has held leadership positions in Alabama's legal community, including President of Birmingham Bar Association Criminal Justice Section, President of Greater Birmingham Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Chair of Birmingham Bar Association Law Day Program, and current State President of Alabama New South Coalition, Inc. He is a member of Avondale Church of Christ.
Protecting voting access
Committed to protecting voting rights as fundamental to democracy.
Voting History: No prior voting record; civil rights advocacy background drives position
Reform and equal justice
Extensive criminal defense background; believes justice system should serve all equally.
Voting History: No prior voting record; legal practice focused on representing underserved defendants
Universal access
Healthcare should be accessible and affordable for all.
Voting History: No prior voting record
Public education funding and quality
Public education is foundation of opportunity; should be properly funded and accessible.
Voting History: No prior voting record
Fair opportunity for all
All should have real economic opportunity; system should not privilege powerful.
Voting History: No prior voting record
Wess has no prior voting record in elected office. His background is legal practice, civil rights advocacy, and community leadership. He ran unsuccessfully for 10th Judicial Circuit Court Place 3 in 2020 (receiving 42.2% in primary) and Jefferson County Probate Court in 2018.
Wess's tone is professional and justice-focused. Emphasizes his extensive legal background and civil rights experience. More establishment-oriented Democrat than populist candidates; appeals to traditional Democratic values of equal justice and opportunity.