Prominent Alabama leaders across the public and private sectors are reacting to U.S. Senator Richard Shelby’s (R-AL) Monday announcement that he will not seek reelection to a seventh term in 2022.
Shelby made the announcement in a written statement, which can be read here.
Reactions quickly poured in, including from the Yellowhammer State’s chief executive.
“Few people have had a more consequential impact on our state than Senator Richard Shelby,” began Governor Kay Ivey in a statement.
“During his 42 years of service in Washington – and even before that during his time in the Alabama Legislature – Senator Shelby was always influenced by the guiding principle of doing what was best for Alabama,” she continued. “His legacy will be felt for generations to come. While we will all miss his incredible influence, he and Annette have earned a well-deserved break from the grind of public service. The people of Alabama owe him a debt of gratitude.”
Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), the dean of Alabama’s U.S. House delegation, said, “Senator Shelby’s retirement will be a huge loss to Alabama and to our nation. His work and influence has been felt in every corner of our state. Alabama’s economic strength owes a lot to his leadership. I look forward to continuing to work with him the next two years on our respective Appropriations Committees to continue to serve and deliver for the people of Alabama.”
Reaction also came in from those who have worked on Shelby’s staff, including current Business Council of Alabama president and CEO Katie Boyd Britt.
She served as Shelby’s deputy press secretary and later press secretary, serving as head of the department at age 23. In 2015, she served as Shelby’s deputy campaign manager and communications director before rejoining his Washington, D.C. team as chief of staff in 2016.
“Senator Richard Shelby is truly Alabama’s greatest statesman, and we owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude for his service to our state and our country,” Britt stated. “It was an honor to work for Senator Shelby on behalf of Alabama families, and his leadership in the Senate will be greatly missed. Our family wishes him, Annette, and the Shelby family all the best in their next chapter.”
Congressman Mo Brooks (AL-05) tweeted that Shelby “has had an enormous impact on Alabama and America.”
“He has been an exemplary and honorable public servant and devoted family man. I have enjoyed working with Senator Shelby on a myriad of Alabama projects and national policy issues,” Brooks added. “I wish Senator Shelby and his wife, Annette, the very best as they begin this next chapter in their lives together.”
Likewise, Secretary of State John Merrill took to Twitter to congratulate Shelby, adding,”Sen. Shelby has been an effective conservative leader for our state for four decades! We need a proven, effective, conservative leader as our next Senator!”
Former State Rep. Steve Flowers, a longtime personal friend of Shelby’s, noted that Shelby “will be acknowledged by those of us known as Alabama political historians as Alabama’s greatest U.S. Senator.”
Speaking to Roll Call, Alabama political strategist and pollster Brent Buchanan went a step further, remarking that Shelby “is the best thing that’s ever happened to Alabama.”
“That and Nick Saban, and I’m an Auburn fan,” Buchanan added.
Without his leadership, the Port of Mobile would not be such a massive economic engine for the state of Alabama. I will continue working with him the next two years to bring more growth and opportunity to our state, and I wish him and his wife Annette all the best!
— Rep. Jerry Carl (@RepJerryCarl) February 8, 2021
Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan released a statement, advising that Shelby has “always fought for what is best for his constituents – from expanding economic opportunities to advancing education and research.”
“Richard Shelby’s name will be repeated for generations to come when speaking of his deep devotion to Alabama and the massive work he accomplished for our state. We also are thankful for his great supporter and wife of sixty years, Dr. Annette Shelby, who has been a profoundly loyal partner for Alabama by his side,” Lathan concluded. Her full statement can be read here.
Jessica Taylor, who recently launched a conservative PAC, stated, “Senator Shelby embodies what it means to be a true statesman. Our great state will forever be positively impacted by his lifetime devotion to the betterment of Alabama and her citizens.”
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) also reacted to his new colleague’s announcement in a statement of his own.
“Richard Shelby is one of the most accomplished public servants in Alabama’s history and works tirelessly to advance the interests of our state,” outlined Tuberville. “Alabama has been better off because of his leadership for over 40 years, and even in my short time up here, I’ve seen firsthand the tremendous amount of respect my colleagues have for him.”
“I’ve had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Senator Shelby over the past few months and pick his brain about working in the Senate and politics,” Alabama’s junior senator added. “But we never fail to discuss a little football, too. I look forward to working closely with Senator Shelby over the next two years and using the remaining time as ‘film study,’ so together we can better serve Alabama.”
Shelby’s coming retirement will impact communities across Alabama, including the local officials he has worked with for decades on various priorities.
Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong advised, “Since 1996, I’ve been privileged to work with Senator Shelby on a variety of projects to benefit the people of Madison County. Our very first project was to implement a tornado warning siren system throughout Madison County. Since then, I’ve worked with Senator Shelby to bring job creation, infrastructure and transportation improvements, along with economic progress to every part of Madison County.”
“For 42 years, Senator Shelby has been a true champion in our state and the United States Senate, and his immeasurable and valuable contributions to the great State of Alabama will be truly missed,” Strong said.
Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06) released a statement, saying, “Senator’s Shelby’s retirement will be a loss for Alabama. His decades of public service have undoubtedly left our state a better place.”
“He has served Alabama with honor and distinction, both at home and on Capitol Hill, and has earned the opportunity to depart on his own terms,” Palmer concluded. “His work in appropriations, education, defense, and numerous other areas has served our state and our country well, and I’m confident he will finish his final term with the same commitment and care for America that he has always brought to his work.”
Senator Richard Shelby is one of the greatest statesmen Alabama has ever produced. He has devoted his professional life to Alabama and our State is stronger and greater because of his service. We can never say thank you enough to Senator Shelby and his leadership.
— Mike Rogers (@RepMikeRogersAL) February 8, 2021
The praise for Shelby was also bipartisan on Monday.
Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07) wrote in a Facebook post that Shelby “has been an influential and powerful voice for Alabama in Washington D.C. for over 40 years, and I hold deep respect for him as a friend and faithful public servant.”
“As a student at Princeton University, I had an opportunity to intern for then-Democratic Congressman Richard Shelby,” Sewell noted. “It was that experience that led me to a career in public service as Representative of Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, and for that I am tremendously grateful!”
This draft will be updated throughout the day with additional statements.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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