During his weekly appearance on Mobile radio FM Talk 106.5's "The Jeff Poor Show," State Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Josephine) reacted to Gov. Kay Ivey's decision not to reappoint Leigh Gwathney as chair of the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles.
Earlier this week, Ivey's office announced she had selected Hal Nash as the new chair.
The Baldwin County Republican praised Gwathney, adding he was surprised Ivey went in a different direction.
"I was a little bit surprised," he said. "I mean, look, I don't know Hal. I know Leigh. And I texted Leigh as soon as I heard that news. And I just thanked her personally for her service on that board. Alabamians should know that she protected them from dangerous criminals being back out on the street. People slept better, whether they knew it or not, because Leigh was the chair of that board. And she deserves serious kudos for really standing up against what I thought were some, you know, unwarranted attacks and a thankless job. And so she did great work. I'm very proud to know her. I'm proud to call her a friend. I wish that she would have been reappointed."
"Again, I'm not familiar with the new appointee. The governor's new appointee may be a great guy. I hope he is. But Leigh did great work for the state, and she is absolutely to be commended."
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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