MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Senate Republicans on Monday elected Sen. Steve Livingston of Scottsboro as their new majority leader after Sen. Clay Scofield, who was in his third year in the position, stepped down from the Alabama Legislature.
Scofield is expected to take a position at the Business Council of Alabama, as explained in Inside Alabama Politics last week. However, nothing official was available from BCA on Monday.
Livingston was elected to the Senate in 2014 from District 8, which includes Jackson County and parts of Dekalb and Marshall Counties.
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed called the change in leadership an “efficient and effective” process in a statement congratulating Livingston.
“Senator Livingston has an impeccable legislative record, and I am confident he will continue to make a positive impact on all Alabamians in his new role as Majority Leader,” Reed said. “Senator Livingston and I have a wonderful working relationship and friendship, and I look forward to working with him in this new role to build upon the work that the Republican Caucus has been doing to preserve and strengthen Alabama’s way of life and beliefs. “
Reed also wished Scofield the best in his future endeavors.
“I also want to thank Senator Scofield for his unwavering dedication to the state of Alabama during his term as Majority Leader and tenure in the Alabama Senate.”
Livingston also received high praise from House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, who shares his northeast Alabama district with the newly elected majority leader.
“In addition to being one of my closest friends for many years, Steve Livingston has been a mentor of mine since the first moment I joined the House and a strong leader whose example I respect deeply,” Ledbetter said.
North Alabama continues to dominate Alabama politics, as a five county area is now home to the lieutenant governor, speaker of the House, attorney general, Senate majority, House majority leader and House minority leader.
In a letter to his constituents in his hometown newspaper, Scofield called the decision to step down one of the hardest of his life.
“Thank you for taking a chance on a 30-year-old farm boy from Arab, AL, when you first elected me,” Scofield wrote.
Within an hour of the news of the change, one candidate had already announced his candidacy for Scofield’s District 9 seat. State Rep. Wes Kitchens of Arab said he would be running once a special election is announced by Gov. Kay Ivey. District 9 includes Marshall County and parts of Blount and Madison County.