By Butler Cain, Alabama Public Radio
Tuscaloosa, AL – A coalition of six Democratic and 12 Republican state senators has chosen to nominate Sen. Jim Preuitt to become President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate. Sen. Tom Butler, a Democrat who belongs to the coalition, says the group chose Preuitt during a Tuesday night meeting in Tuscaloosa. Lawmakers have been meeting there for the quadrennial Legislative Orientation.
Butler says Sen. Preuitt, a Democrat from Talladega, is a leader who has a vision for Alabama. He says the group stands firmly behind Preuitt's nomination and expects him to win election to the post on January Ninth. Democratic Sen. Lowell Barron of Fyffe has held the position since 1999.
Butler also says his coalition of 18 Democratic and Republican senators creates the majority necessary to reorganize the 35 member state Senate. He says Lieutenant Governor-elect Jim Folsom, Jr., is aware of the group's concerns, and Butler invited other senators to put aside party politics and work together.