By MARY SELL, Alabama Daily News
Long-time state lawmaker Rep. Steve McMillan, R-Gulf Shores, will undergo “an aggressive treatment plan” targeting three small tumors in his brain, he told his colleagues in a letter this week.
“I am hopeful of its success as are the doctors, but we all know that God’s power to heal far surpasses anything known to man,” McMillan, 80, said in the letter shared with Alabama Daily News. “I welcome and appreciate your prayers on my behalf as my family and I take on this fight.”
He said the tumors were found after he experienced some unusual symptoms and consulted his physician.
McMillan announced last year he would not seek reelection in the seat he’s held since 1980.
“Serving the people of Baldwin County in the House for the past 42 years has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am committed to providing my constituents the same level of service, devotion, and attention that they received before my diagnosis,” he said. “I will be at my desk on the House floor this session as much as my treatments will allow, and I will continue to address issues in Baldwin County as I always have.”
McMillan’s House District 95 includes Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and other parts of southern Baldwin County.
McMillan was first elected during a special election after his twin brother, current State Treasurer John McMillan, vacated the seat.
“Rep. McMillan has served Baldwin County well and we wish him a speedy recovery,” said Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Daphne. “The delegation will help him in any way we can with his legislation in the upcoming session.”
Some of McMillan’s accomplishments include working to create the Fair Ballot Commission, the State Teacher of the Year program, creating the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach Tourism organization and helping to push for the Lodge at Gulf State Park, according to his delegation office.