Both candidates running to be the next State Senate Pro-Tem think they have the votes to win, according to State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur).
Senate Republicans will meet on December 3 to nominate a new pro-tem. Senate Republicans met in Birmingham on Tuesday but postponed an expected vote on electing new Senate leadership.
State Sen. Pro-Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) is resigning effective January 1 to serve as Gov. Kay Ivey's senior advisor for workforce transformation.
Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) and State Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman) are the two leading candidates to replace Reed.
"I think it was unknown. Both candidates believe they have the votes. In that mix, the greater number of the membership thought, 'Well, why are we trying to jam it right now and rush it through? We've got time and let's take time to reflect and talk to the candidates.' I wanted to talk to one of the candidates and follow up on a conversation. So, it seemed like it behooved us just to chill out, wait a bit. There's no rush and take that time to do any due diligence that needed to be done and have the vote on said date," Orr said in an interview on Huntsville radio WVNN's "The Dale Jackson Show" on Friday.
The Senate Pro-Tem is responsible for leading the Senate in its legislative and administrative functions.
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