Windom galliher SPECIAL Montgomery update August 2, 2016 House Republican Caucus backs Mac McCutcheon slated to become new Speaker upon special session Alabama House Republicans have se- lected Rep. Mac McCutcheon (R- Monrovia) as their choice to be Speaker of the House. Rep. McCutcheon, who most recently served as Chairman of the House Rules Committee, was elected to the Legisla- ture in 2006. He emerged from a crowd- ed field to be the GOP selection to re- place former Speaker Mike Hubbard (R- Auburn), who was removed from office upon his conviction in June. The House Republican Caucus met Tuesday to select its choice for Speaker. The official vote will be taken August 15 on the first day of the upcoming special session, but the Republican supermajori- REP. MAC McCUTCHEON (R-MONROVIA) EARNED PRAISE FOR HIS SERVICE AS ty pledged to support its nominee in the CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE SINCE 2012 official vote. With two vacancies in the House, Republicans currently outnumber his willingness to work with different Jones of Andalusia, Transportation chair- Democrats 70-33. groups within the House. man Rep. Lynn Greer of Rogersville, Vet- erans Affairs chairman Rep. Barry Moore Rep. McCutcheon has rightfully received Undoubtedly, Rep. McCutcheon will of Enterprise and Rep. Phil Williams of high marks for his congenial nature and have a tall order in front of him when he Huntsville. The only Democrat that has even-handed stewardship of the Rules takes office. Gov. Bentley is asking legis- announced a candidacy is Rep. Patricia Committee, which selects the bills for lators to consider enacting a state lottery Todd of Birmingham. She has acknowl- debate each day in the House. He took when they convene in special session. edged she has no chance at being elect- over as Rules Chairman in 2012 upon Speaker Pro Tem Rep. (R- the resignation from the House by our Mobile) will open the session in the ed Speaker. own Blaine Galliher. chair, but the first order of business will Rep. McCutcheon, who represents west- Former Speaker Hubbard, who was the be the election of the Speaker. Corralling ern Madison and eastern Limestone prime architect of the GOP wave in the various groups of the House will be a counties, will be the first Speaker from 2010, was seen as a highly disciplined challenge, but it would seem that Rep. north Alabama since former Speaker leader that had a vision where he want- McCutcheon’s approach of consensus- Tom Drake of Cullman was replaced by ed the House to go and led it there – building might be the preferred method the late Jimmy Clark in 1987. The last occasionally with an iron fist. in the unusual circumstances in which Speaker from north of Birmingham was we are. former Gov. Albert Brewer (then of Deca- Rep. McCutcheon is expected to take a tur), who moved up to lieutenant gover- Other Republicans seeking the post more collegial approach. By nature, he’s nor in 1967 and governor a little more were House Ways & Means-General a consensus builder. A former police than a year after that upon the death of officer, probation officer and family Fund chairman Rep. of Gov. Lurleen Wallace. farmer, he’s known for his patience and Ozark, Judiciary chairman Rep. Mike