Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) Commissioner Kent Davis formally declined Gov. Kay Ivey’s request for his resignation on Friday. Ivey asked Davis to step down yesterday, citing “ample cause” for his removal. She also removed John Kilpatrick from the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs, a 15-member board that oversees the Commissioner.
“I respectfully disagree with the inaccurate claims made against the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs this week,” Davis said in a written statement.
“We have continuously been transparent in our department’s mission and day-to-day operations in our service to Alabama’s 400,000 Veterans. This includes earlier this year when ADVA attempted to work with members of the Governor’s staff, cabinet, and the Department of Finance regarding American Rescue Plan Act funds. At no time did our actions jeopardize the State of Alabama in fulfilling its obligations of the $2.1 billion in ARPA.”
Ivey set a 5 p.m. deadline on Thursday for Davis to tender his resignation in order to continue serving through the remainder of the month. As the Commissioner position is not a member of the Governor’s cabinet, but rather, appointed by the Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs, Ivey cannot directly fire Davis. However, pressure is mounting on Davis.
Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) announced Thursday he believes new leadership “is in the best interest of our state’s veteran population.” This morning, State Sens. Greg Reed (R-Jasper) and Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) also expressed their support for the Governor’s expectations.
“Governor Ivey is dealing with the situation as she needs to, the Commissioner answers to her and the Board, and hopefully we’ll move forward with a stronger Veterans Affairs Department after this,” Orr said.
Reed said Alabama’s veterans “should be honored with resources and leadership that adequately reflect their service.”
Immediately following Davis announcing his refusal to resign, Ivey specified the further action she promised Thursday after Davis missed her deadline.
In a letter to Davis, Ivey wrote, “In my view as Governor, the resulting damage to your working relationships has become irreparable.”
The State Board of Veterans’ Affairs will hold a special called meeting at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to vote on his removal and the appointment of an interim commissioner.
“If you care to respond to the concerns I have expressed in this letter, please do so in the form of a written submission to the board provided to each of us no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024,” Ivey wrote.
“Again, I regret that your service must come to an end in this manner.”
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @Grayson270
