By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama House elected Democrat Seth Hammett of Andalusia Tuesday to serve a third consecutive term as speaker. Hammett ties the late Representative Jimmy Clark of Eufaula as the only House members to serve three four-year terms as speaker. The Senate fought over political control today. But the House remained in solid Democratic control. House members voted 103 to nothing to elect Hammett and 102 to nothing to elect veteran civil rights lawyer Representative Demetrius Newton to a third term as speaker pro tem. Hammett says the Democrat majority stuck together in the House. Democrats hold a 61 to 43 majority in the 104-member House. There is one vacant seat.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)