MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, will reprise his role as Senate president pro tempore and Sen. April Weaver, R-Brierfield, will be the first woman to serve as Senate majority leader in Alabama history for the upcoming quadrennium, the Alabama Senate Republican Caucus announced on Thursday evening.
The 24-member caucus elected Weaver during its post-election meeting in Birmingham. Two Republican senators – Sam Givhan of Huntsville and Andrew Jones of Centre – were defeated by challengers during Tuesday’s midterm election, but the caucus still holds a supermajority in the chamber with 24 of 35 seats.
The group voted unanimously to nominate Gudger for the role again. He assumed the position in January 2025 after former Sen. Greg Reed stepped down to take a role in Gov. Kay Ivey’s administration.
“Our Senate Republican Caucus members are a talented and dedicated group who remain committed to providing commonsense conservative government and protecting our homegrown Alabama values, and I appreciate their ongoing confidence,” Gudger said. “If elected to serve again as Senate pro tem at the upcoming organizational session, I will continue working to ensure that every member’s voice has an opportunity to be heard in the committee rooms and chamber of the Alabama Senate.”
Gudger’s nomination will come up for a vote during the Legislature’s organizational session in January.
Weaver, a registered nurse and longtime legislator, will succeed former Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, who held the role beginning in January 2023.
She said she will use the position to “promote party unity and cooperation” within the group while pushing forward Republican-led bills.
“As Senate majority leader, I will work every day to keep our caucus unified and promote the good work that each and every Republican senator is doing for their district and constituents,” Weaver said. “If our Senate Republican Caucus stands tall together and remains dedicated to our shared conservative beliefs and principles, we can create an even better Alabama for the citizens we swore an oath to serve.”
Weaver’s election is effective immediately.
The legislative session begins Feb. 2.