By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Monday, January 2, 2016, former Alabama Governor Albert Brewer (D) passed away.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) said in a statement, “Alabamians have lost a great leader today in the passing of Governor Albert Brewer. He lived his life as an example of integrity and professionalism in public service, and displayed an unwavering commitment to making Alabama a great state. Always a friend to me, Governor Brewer was ever ready with a kind and encouraging word. Most of all he loved serving the people of this State. In addition to serving as the 47th Governor, Brewer was elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives and as Lieutenant Governor. The State of Alabama is grateful for his faithful service. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Alabama Democratic Party Chair Nancy Worley said, “As Democratic Party Chair, I considered Governor Brewer to be a personal friend and mentor through the years. I shall miss his quiet counsel, his wisdom, and his vision for our State.”
US Representative Bradley Byrne (R-Montrose) said in a statement, “Rebecca and I are heartbroken by this terrible news. Albert Brewer was a man of great character and integrity. One of the best governors in Alabama history. My prayers are with his family and loved ones.”
State Senator Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) said, “Alabama has lost a great statesman in the passing of Gov Albert Brewer. Our State was a better place because of his service!”
State Auditor Jim Zeigler (R) said, “Albert Brewer was governor when I was elected President of the SGA at the University of Alabama. I got to work with him on several projects, and he was a straight arrow. We have lost an important piece of our history, as his family has lost their loved one. Albert Brewer would rather lose the race for governor than to demagogue the people of Alabama. He lost.”
Alabama House Information Officer Clay Redden said, “A true statesman and a true gentleman who always had time to talk to me and always shot straight when I was capital correspondent for The Decatur Daily. RIP Gov. Brewer.”
Albert Brewer was Lieutenant Governor when Alabama’s only female Governor, Lurleen Wallace, died in office to cancer in 1968. Gov. Brewer sought re-election in 1970; but was defeated in the Democratic Party runoff by former Governor, and Lurleen’s husband, George C. Wallace (D). The 1970 race is considered the dirtiest in the history of Alabama. Wallace’s campaign accused Brewer of conspiring with civil rights leaders and warned that Blacks were trying to take over Alabama. He ran again for Governor in 1978 but failed to make the runoff. Fob James won that year for his first term (as a Democrat).
Brewer was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1954, representing the Decatur area. He was elected Speaker of the House in 1963. Later in his career, Brewer became a law professor at Samford University and co-founded the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA). Brewer was the first executive director of PARCA.
He was 89.
(Original reporting by the Alabama media group’s Mike Cason and John Archibald contributed to this report)
