Alabama's first female lieutenant governor, Democrat Lucy Baxley, has died.
A statement released by Baxley's family says she died Friday at home. She was 78. Baxley was elected lieutenant governor and presided over the Senate during a four-year term that began in 2003.
She was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2006 but lost to Republican Bob Riley. Baxley served as state treasurer before becoming lieutenant governor and she was elected president of the Alabama Public Service Commission in 2008 despite having suffered a serious stroke after her gubernatorial bid.
Baxley was the last Democrat to hold statewide elective office in Alabama.
Baxley is survived by her husband Jim Smith, two children, and former husband Bill Baxley.