BY MARY SELL
Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, will again lead the Senate Democrats as the minority leader in the next quadrennium.
“I just want to thank my peers for entrusting me to continue to lead them through the legislative process,” Singleton said in a written statement. “It is truly an honor to have colleagues who trust you to negotiate on behalf of the group.”
Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, will continue to serve as the minority caucus chair for another four years.
“I appreciate the confidence my colleagues have in me, and I look forward to working with our colleagues from across the aisle to do everything we can to make Alabama No. 1 in the nation and bring a better quality of life to our citizens in Alabama,” Coleman said.
A rules change this year allowed for the appointment of Senate majority and minority whips. Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, will be the minority whip.
“The whip is the person who keeps the flow on the floor going,” Singleton said. “So, having a good minority whip and an aggressive minority whip in a supermajority is invaluable for the Democratic Party. We are trusting Sen. Smitherman with this position because of his senior knowledge of the process. He has been stellar in his fight for justice, for not only the people in his district, but for all the people throughout the state of Alabama.”
Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, will continue as minority caucus treasurer.
Senate Democrats’ newest members, Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, and Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, will serve as minority caucus vice chair and chair of the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus, respectively.
“I’m excited about our two new members,” Coleman-Madison said. “They both come with great experience from the local to the national level. So, there is no learning curve for them. I think they are both great additions to our caucus because of their wealth of experience.”
House Democrats elected their leadership in November.
The 2023 legislative session begins March 7.
