MONTGOMERY — There’s been quite a political shakeup in Montgomery with repercussions felt in the Tennessee Valley.
In the wake of State Sen. Clay Scofield’s resignation Monday, State Rep. Wes Kitchens (R-Arab) announced he will seek to fill the Scofield’s District 9 Senate seat that includes portions of Blount and Madison counties and all of Marshall County.
Scofield (R-Guntersville), who has represented District 9 since 2010 and served as Senate Majority Leader, resigned to become executive vice president of the Business Council of Alabama.
His pending resignation was reported in 256 Today’s “Off the Record” last week.
Meanwhile, State Sen. Steve Livingston was elected Majority Leader by the Alabama Senate Republican Caucus in an official proceeding Monday.
Kitchens was elected to the House in 2018 and reelected in 2022.
“I am excited for this opportunity to continue serving the people of north Alabama. I’ve worked hard in the Alabama Legislature to promote a conservative agenda,” Kitchens said in a statement on campaign letterhead. “Working alongside my friend and colleague Senator Clay Scofield has been an honor, and I wish him the best.”
Scofield has served in the Senate since 2010 and was elected by colleagues as Majority Leader in 2020.
“This decision was one of the hardest that I have ever had to make, and with any decision of this magnitude, I involved a lot of prayer and talked it over with family and friends,” Scofield said in a statement. “If I didn’t love serving you, the decision would have been easy. It’s a dream job with an organization whose mission I strongly believe in.
“I have always supported policies that make Alabama more business-friendly because if we have healthy businesses, they can create more high-paying jobs.”
State Rep. Brock Colvin, who has been mentioned as possibly seeking to fill Scofield’s seat, saluted the departing senator.
“Senator Clay Scofield has been an excellent public servant for District 9 and specifically Marshall County,” Colvin (R-Guntersville) said in a statement. “The conservative reforms he has pushed, including the expansion of Broadband to rural residents and saving our state parks, have been unparalleled and have improved the lives of people right here at home.
“We have been fortunate to have Clay’s representation for the last 13 years and he will undoubtedly leave big shoes to fill. While we are losing a huge advocate in the Senate, I am confident he will continue to lead and work for the people of Alabama.”
Livingston (R-Scottsboro) has represented parts of Jackson, Madison, DeKalb counties in the Senate since 2014.
“I am deeply humbled to be elected as the Republican leader in the Alabama State Senate. Having the trust of my colleagues and friends to lead our caucus in this capacity is a tremendous honor,” said Livingston.
“I am excited to work with my colleagues to continue implementing conservative values through our legislative agenda in the Senate and look forward to continuing our tireless work to uphold Alabama values that make our state the best place to call home.”
Gov. Kay Ivey will be announcing a date for a special election to fill the seats of Scofield and Kitchens.
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