Alabama Senate minority announces leadership

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The Senate minority caucus on Friday announced its leaders and committee assignments for the new quadrennium. 

Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, was elected to his second four-year term, a first for the Democratic group. 

“I just want to thank my peers for entrusting me to continue to lead them through the legislative process,” Singleton said. “It is truly an honor to have colleagues who trust you to negotiate on behalf of the group.” 

Likewise, Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, will continue to serve as the minority caucus chair for another four years. 

“I appreciate the confidence my colleagues have in me, and I look forward to working with our colleagues from across the aisle to do everything we can to make Alabama number one in the nation and bring a better quality of life to our citizens in Alabama,” Coleman-Madison said.

This year the senate rules have elevated the position of the minority whip, which is held by Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham. 

“The whip is the person who keeps the flow on the floor going. So, having a good minority whip and an aggressive minority whip in a supermajority is invaluable for the Democratic Party,” Singleton said. “We are trusting Sen. Smitherman with this position because of his senior knowledge of the process. He has been stellar in his fight for justice, for not only the people in his district, but for all the people throughout the State of Alabama. I trust Sen. Smitherman, who is the ranking minority member in the senate. I lean on him for his leadership and his guidance in order to move through these troubled waters; and I appreciate his willingness to serve in this position.” 

Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, will continue as minority caucus treasurer, while new senators, Sen. Robert Stewart, D-Selma, will serve as minority caucus vice chair, and Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Birmingham, will serve as chair of the Alabama legislative Black caucus. 

“I’m excited about our two new members,” Coleman-Madison said. “They both come with great experience from the local to the national level. So, there is no learning curve for them. I think they are both great additions to our caucus because of their wealth of experience.” 

Coleman had served in the Alabama House since 2002, and Stewart previously worked for U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell. 

Below are the Senate minority caucus committee assignments.

Committee on Rules 

1. Sen. Vivian Figures 
2. Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison 
3. Sen. Rodger Smitherman (Ranking Minority Member) 

Committee on Finance & Taxation Education 

1. Sen. Vivian Figures 
2. Sen. Kirk Hatcher 
3. Sen. Bobby Singleton 
4. Sen. Rodger Smitherman (Ranking Minority Member) 

Committee on Finance & Taxation General Fund 

1. Sen. Billy Beasley 
2. Sen. Merika Coleman 
3. Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison (Ranking Minority Member) 
4. Sen. Robert Stewart 

Committee on Confirmations 

1. Sen. Vivian Figures 
2. Sen. Kirk Hatcher 
3. Sen. Bobby Singleton 
4. Sen. Rodger Smitherman (Ranking Minority Member) 

Committee on Judiciary 

1. Sen. Vivian Figures 
2. Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison 
3. Sen. Bobby Singleton 
4. Sen. Rodger Smitherman (Ranking Minority Member) 

. Committee on Governmental Affairs – Local 

1. Sen. Merika Coleman 
2. Sen. Kirk Hatcher 
3. Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison – (Ranking Minority Member) 

Committee on Governmental Affairs – State 

1. Sen. Merika Coleman 
2. Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison (Ranking Minority Member) 
3. Sen. Robert Stewart 

Committee on Education Policy 

1. Sen. Vivian Figures 
2. Sen. Kirk Hatcher 
3. Sen. Rodger Smitherman – (Ranking Minority Member) 

Committee on Agriculture, Conservation, & Forestry 

1. Sen. Billy Beasley 
2. Sen. Bobby Singleton – (Ranking Minority Member) 
3. Sen. Robert Stewart 

Committee on Banking & Insurance 

1. Sen. Merika Coleman 
2. Sen. Kirk Hatcher 
3. Sen. Bobby Singleton 
4. Sen. Rodger Smitherman – (Ranking Minority Member) 

Committee on Fiscal Responsibility & Economic Development 

1. Sen. Merika Coleman 
2. Sen. Vivian Figures – (Ranking Minority Member) 
3. Sen. Kirk Hatcher 

Committee on Transportation & Energy 

1. Sen. Billy Beasley – (Ranking Minority Member) 
2. Sen. Merika Coleman 
3. Sen. Robert Stewart 

Committee on Healthcare 

1. Sen. Billy Beasley 
2. Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison – (Ranking Minority Member) 
3. Sen. Robert Stewart 

Committee on Children & Youth Healthcare 

1. Sen. Vivian Figures – (Ranking Minority Member) 
2. Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison 
3. Sen. Robert Stewart 

Committee on Tourism 

1. Sen. Billy Beasley 
2. Sen. Bobby Singleton 
3. Sen. Rodger Smitherman – (Ranking Minority Member) 
4. Sen. Robert Stewart 

Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Safety 

1. Sen. Billy Beasley – (Ranking Minority Member) 
2. Sen. Kirk Hatcher