Montgomery, AL – Democrats in the Alabama House have chosen Rep. Craig Ford of Gadsden as their minority party leader.
It marks the first time in 136 years that House Democrats have had to select minority leaders rather than majority leaders.
The Democrats met Tuesday in Montgomery, where they also chose Rep. Thomas Jackson of Thomasville as House caucus chairman and Rep. Barbara Boyd of Anniston as caucus vice chairwoman.
The new leaders said House Democrats will support several ethics bills if Gov. Bob Riley calls a special session in December and they will work in the regular session next spring to protect funding for programs helping the elderly and children.
The new House has 39 Democrats and 66 Republicans.
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