MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, will be the next Alabama Senate president pro tem, winning over Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, in a Senate GOP election for the chamber’s top leadership position.
The closed-door caucus vote at the State House Tuesday followed weeks of lobbying and vote counting by Gudger and Livingston. Both men previously told Alabama Daily News their leadership styles are what set them apart.
“There’s a lot that we’re going to have to accomplish in going forward, and we’re going to do that as a team,” Gudger said shortly after the secret-ballot vote. “I’m thankful for our majority leader, Steve Livingston, we have already been putting our minds together of what we’re going to do, how we’re going to function and operate as we go forward.”
President pro tem is the highest leadership position in the Senate. It largely sets the tone of a session, deciding priority issues and committee assignments and working with House counterparts to advance legislation.
As to his legislative priorities going into the 2025 legislative session, Gudger said that he would largely leave that up to his Republican Senate colleagues, but that ultimately, his main focus would be to deliver for Alabamians.
“As far as issues, we’re going to focus on the members and what their interests are right now, and that’s what my job is to do, to make sure that we’re taking care of the people that are in our body,” he said. “Right now, there’s not going to be one particular issue that I’m going to be bringing up, I want to do what’s best for the state of Alabama and the people of Alabama.”
Regarding committee assignments, Gudger told Alabama Daily News that he plans to keep the existing appointments “just like it is,” excluding his own as the chair of the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development, which he said he would be vacating.
Standing alongside Gudger, Livingston described him as a “long-term friend,” and said he was proud of Gudger for his victory. Livingston also described the closed-door election process as “jovial,” and added “it worked flawlessly.”
Livingston will remain Senate majority leader, which he was elected to by his colleagues in 2023.
Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, told ADN the secret-ballot election process helps with party unity.
“It’s a secret ballot and so we don’t know what the results were, not going to know what the results are,” Elliott told ADN. “I don’t know if it was a close vote or if it was an overwhelming vote, and I think that’s a good thing for caucus unity, I really do, it’s important to leave the caucus room and be of one mind.”
Elliott, who has been open in his support for Gudger as pro tem, said he was excited for the new leadership, calling Gudger a “problem solver,” while also lamenting the departure of Sen. Greg Reed, R-Jasper, the current pro tem, who in November announced he was leaving the Senate at the end of this month to lead the state’s workforce development efforts.
“Sen. Gudger and I came in at the same time, we know each other well, and I think the members know Sen. Gudger well and are comfortable with that,” he said. “I told Sen. Reed it was a lot like when you change priests or a priest moves on – you get really close with somebody and they’re a good guide, a good example for you – I feel like Sen. Reed’s been that way.”
Just after the vote, Reed expressed his gratitude for his leadership position in the Senate, while also congratulating both Gudger and Livingston on their campaigns.
“It has been my distinct privilege for 14 years to be a member of the Alabama Senate and to have been the President Pro Tem for four years,” Reed said. “I want to congratulate Sen. Gudger, as well as Majority Leader Livingston for an extraordinary race and an opportunity to focus on unity for the Alabama Senate.”
Gudger is a second-term senator and business owner. He previously chaired the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee, as well as served on six other committees.
Republicans have a 27-seat super majority in the Senate. Though the pro tem won’t officially be seated until the full 35-member chamber, including Democrats, meets Feb. 4 to begin the 2025 legislative session, the GOP’s selection is sure to stand.
Several senators previously told ADN that the caucus would support whomever won.
Alabama Daily News’ Mary Sell contributed to this report.