By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Tuesday, August 2, 2016, members of the Alabama House Republican Caucus met in Montgomery to decide which of them would replace disgraced former Representative Mike Hubbard (R-Auburn) as the next Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. The House Republican Caucus unanimously affirmed Rep. Mac McCutcheon (R-Madison) as the group’s nominee for Speaker of the House when lawmakers convene for a special session on August 15.
Speaker of the House elect McCutcheon said afterwards in a statement, “I’m humbled by the faith and confidence that my fellow Republicans have placed in me, and, if elected as Speaker, I pledge to preside in a manner that treats all members of both parties in a fair and honorable manner.”
Rep. McCutcheon said, “Our State faces many challenges ranging from education to ethics to ensuring adequate funding for even the most basic government services, and finding needed solutions will require all of us to work together.”
Since Republicans seized control of the House following the 2010 election, McCutcheon has served as the powerful Chairman of the agenda-setting House Rules Committee, second in actual daily power to only Speaker Hubbard. Now McCutcheon will be the man with the gavel when the Alabama House reconvenes on August 15.
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) said on Twitter, “Congrats to my friend & former fellow House member @MacDistrict25. Look forward to working w/you to help make Alabama a truly #GreatState.”
State Representative Kyle South (R-Fayette) said on Facebook, “Congratulations Mac McCutcheon! I look forward to your leadership moving the State forward.”
State Representative Jack Williams (R-Vestavia) said on Twitter, “Congratulations to @MacDistrict25 on his selection as Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives by the Republican Caucus.”
Former Public Service Commissioner Terry Dunn (R) said that Tuesday’s Caucus meeting was a, “Dark day for Alabamians expecting a change in leadership from the past.” Dunn has been a vocal critic of Speaker Hubbard and Gov. Bentley’s leadership in the past.
Because all Republican candidates for the House have signed a loyalty oath to support the leadership decisions of the caucus no matter what, whomever won the caucus vote today, will be the next Speaker of the House. The Republican Super Majority is pledged to vote en masse as a block when the House reconvenes for the August 15 Special Session, thus Alabama Democrats will have no say in who fills the seat.
McCutcheon is in his third term in the Alabama House of Representatives. He represents the communities of Madison City, Capshaw, Monrovia and East Limestone. He is a native of Madison County and spent 25 years in law enforcement and served in the US Army.
McCutcheon has a AS Degree in Criminal Justice from Calhoun Community College and a BS Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Trinity University.
Rep. McCutcheon has been a farmer and is retired from the City of Huntsville. He is a member of College Park Church of God.
He is a member of the American Legion, Fraternal Order of Police, Alabama Peace Officers, North Alabama Emmaus Community, Tennessee Valley Smallmouth Bass Club and City of Madison Chamber of Commerce.
Representative McCutcheon also has served as the Vice-Chairman of the Joint Transportation Committee, the Department of Senior Services Advisory Board, and ATRIP.
Rep. McCutcheon was a vocal supporter of a plan to raise gas taxes to fund road building projects in the 2015 legislative session. He never brought his plan to the floor of the House because he did not have assurances from the Senate that it would not be filibustered there.
Speaker Mike Hubbard was removed after a Lee County Jury found him guilty of 12 counts of felony ethics law violations.
