By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – A group of six moderate Senate Democrats said they will attempt to organize a coalition of senators across racial and party lines. The coalition includes Senators E-B McClain of Midfield, Tom Butler of Madison, Larry Means of Attalla, Jimmy Holley of Elba, Phil Poole of Tuscaloosa and Jim Preuitt of Talladega. Butler says he hopes the new coalition will include a broad range of senators. He said he did not know who the group will choose to be the Senate president pro tem. Republicans failed to change the dynamics in the Alabama Senate. Before Tuesday's election, Democrats held a 25-10 margin in the Senate; Republicans picked up two seats to reduce the margin to 23-12. The question will be whether Senator President Pro Tem Lowell Barron of Fyffe will maintain his position or if senators will organize behind another leader. Legislators will hold their organizational session in January. The regular legislative session gets underway in March.