During his weekly appearance on Huntsville radio WVNN's "The Dale Jackson Show," State Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur) discussed the potential change in the Alabama State Senate regarding the President Pro-Tempore office.
Orr suggested whoever replaces the incumbent State Sen. Greg Reed (R-Jasper) would be more responsive to Senate members’ feedback.
According to a report from Yellowhammer News, Reed is relinquishing his State Senate seat and the Pro-Tem post ahead of the 2025 legislative session. The report speculated Reed to serve as an adviser to Gov. Kay Ivey "related to the Alabama Department of Workforce."
Sources have told 1819 News the selection for the new Pro-Tem could come as early as next week when the Senate Caucus meets. The Pro-Tem appointment will require approval from the full Senate body. However, with a Republican supermajority, the GOP Caucus' pick would be a proverbial shoo-in for the seat.
SEE: State Senate Pro-Tem race to replace Greg Reed underway
1819 News has learned the race is shaping up to be between two candidates, State Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) and State Sen. Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman). However, Orr gave a somewhat furtive answer when asked if he would pursue the seat himself.
Orr gave an ambiguous answer if Reed would step down from his seat, but the general tenor of the conversation suggested the move was almost certain. When asked about the next Pro-Tem’s priorities in Senate leadership, Orr said he expected more openness, stressing the importance of consensus among the GOP caucus rather than a unilateral leadership approach from a new Pro-Tem.
“I think what you’ll find with anybody, anybody who succeeds Senator Reed in that position, I believe you’ll find more openness with the caucus and more with the leadership group, and there will be more input into what the Senate does or does not do,” Orr said. “I just think there’ll be more communication, and it will be a more a caucus decision or more leadership group decision, and that decision would be based on what the caucus wants, or the conference as we call it.”
“All that to say, you would find a new leader more responsive, I think, due to the circumstances to the overall desire for a direction coming from more members, rather than just the Pro-Tem making the call, and we move it in that direction," he added.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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