MONTGOMERY — Senator Clay Scofield (R-Guntersville) on Tuesday officially became the majority leader of the Alabama State Senate.
The ascension was formalized minutes after the start of the legislature’s 2021 regular session when newly elected Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) resigned his former post as majority leader and delivered to the Senate a letter notifying his colleagues that the Republican Caucus had unanimously elected Scofield as his successor. This selection came back at a caucus meeting in December.
Scofield will serve as majority leader for the final two years of the current quadrennium and, along with Reed, will be responsible for the caucus’ 2022 electoral efforts.
“I am honored to serve as the Republican leader in the Alabama State Senate, and I am thankful for the trust my colleagues have placed in me to lead the Caucus in this new capacity,” Scofield said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon. “The Republican majority has worked tirelessly to fight for conservative values that remain important to the bulk of Alabamians, focusing on legislative priorities that impact their lives on a daily basis. I will continue to be a fervent advocate for our farmers and producers, small businesses, protecting the Second Amendment, broadband expansion, and more.”
“The ongoing health pandemic has disrupted our economy and several industries that are vital to the success of our state, and we have a lot of work to do on the road to recovery,” he continued. “I am confident that we will cross the finish line, but it will certainly take time and dedicated work. I look forward to continuing our efforts in the Senate to focus on policies that will not only improve the current circumstances we are under, but also bring much-needed prosperity to every region of the state.”
Scofield represents Senate District 9, which includes parts of Blount, Madison and Marshall Counties.
In a speech on the floor, he also noted his ability to work amicably with his colleagues across the aisle. Scofield has served in the Senate since first being elected in 2010. He was reelected in 2014 and 2018 and has been serving as chairman of the Senate Confirmations Committee this quadrennium.
“Colleagues, thank you so much for this great honor,” he remarked. “Each of you are like family to me. … And to my colleagues on this (the Democratic) side, I count y’all as friends, too. We may be from different parties, and on occasion we are going to disagree fiercely, as we’ve done before. We know that. But the good thing about this body is I’m a big believer in ‘institutions are greater than men’ — and I will add, ‘women.’ There is no reason that we cannot disagree fiercely in here but leave this chamber as friends. That’s a big deal to me, and that’s one thing that makes this body stand out. … I look forward to moving Alabama forward with each and every one of you.”
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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