By MARY SELL and TODD STACY, Alabama Daily News
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper, will step down after four years of leading the upper chamber.
Who will replace him is still to be determined.
Reed officially announced his departure on Tuesday at a Senate Caucus meeting in Birmingham. His exit was anticipated. Inside Alabama Politics last week reported that Reed, a state senator since 2010, will lead the state’s workforce development efforts.
Gov. Kay Ivey confirmed that Tuesday afternoon, announcing Reed will serve as her senior advisor to workforce transformation.
Ivey said the appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2025.
“… (Reed) will be integral to the transition from the Department of Labor to the Department of Workforce and in setting the foundation for the new agency,” Ivey said in a written statement today. “Increasing our state’s labor force participation rate and setting us up for long term success remains a priority for my Administration. Greg has effectively represented his district in the Legislature and has been an outstanding partner as pro tem. Alabama is fortunate to continue benefiting from his service.”
Earlier this year, lawmakers and Ivey approved the Working for Alabama legislation, which included converting the Department of Labor to the Department of Workforce.
“Alabama is poised to chart a new path in workforce development and economic growth, and I am immensely grateful to Governor Kay Ivey for giving me the opportunity to be a part of her team as a senior advisor to workforce transformation,” Reed said in the written statement. “I could not be more excited for this new journey, and I look forward to building on the monumental steps Alabama has taken to continue making our state the best place in America to live, work, worship and raise a family.”
Reed was chosen Senate leader by his GOP colleagues nearly four years ago when former Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, stepped down. Reed was not challenged for the top spot in the Senate.
But that may not be the case this time around.
Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, is the current Senate Majority Leader and second in command in the Senate. But there is also support for second-term Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman.
Senators vote via secret ballot, but that did not happen Tuesday. Reed said late Tuesday that the Caucus will vote for a new leader on Dec. 3.
“The Caucus will be diligent and thoughtful in our process to nominate a new leader, and I am confident our choice will continue our momentum to make Alabama the best place in America to call home through conservative governance,” Reed said in a statement.
Senate Republicans hold 27 of the 35 seats in that chamber, so leadership decisions within their caucus is effectively what will happen on the Senate floor in February when the Legislature gavels in for the 2025 session.
Ivey will later call a special election to fill Reed’s Senate District 5 seat.