By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Alabama Chief Justice Lyn Stuart (R) announced that she is seeking election as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.
Stuart has been a judge for 29 years and has served on the Alabama Supreme Court since 2001. She was appointed chief justice by Governor Kay Ivey (R) in April 2017, after former Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) retired to run for U.S. Senate. Stuart was already an associate justice and had been the acting chief justice since Moore had been suspended for failing to order Alabama’s probate judges to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. When Ivey formally elevated Stuart, she appointed Montgomery attorney Will Sellers (R) to the Court to fill Stuart’s seat.
Under Alabama law the Chief Justice, in addition to presiding over the Supreme Court, is in charge of Alabama’s unified court system.
“I am proud to announce my campaign for Chief Justice because we need to continue making Alabama a place where justice is served and the law is evenly applied to all parties,” Stuart said. “We need a judicial system where our justices follow the law, not make the law. And we need justices who strictly interpret the constitution. I’m proud of my record of doing just that and I look forward to speaking with the voters to get that message out there over the coming months.”
Before Stuart’s service on the Alabama Supreme Court, she also was elected and served for 12 years as a district judge and circuit judge in Baldwin County. Before that she prosecuted cases as an assistant attorney general and assistant district attorney.
“Securing adequate financial resources for our courts is a primary responsibility of the Chief Justice,” Stuart said. “State government is experiencing tough financial times. Everyone in our court system is having to do more with less. It’s important to have someone with my background, experience and work ethic, someone who will work hard every day to keep our courts fair and running smoothly. That’s what I’ve been doing for 29 years and, if elected, that’s what I intend to keep doing.”
Stuart was born in Atmore, Alabama, and is a graduate of Escambia County High School. She has a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and a law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.
In addition to her duties as a justice, she has been married to her husband, George, for 36 years and has three children and two grandchildren. Stuart has attended Bay Minette United Methodist Church for 33 years.
Associate Justice Tom Parker (R) announced that he also intends to run for chief justice.
The major party primaries will be on June 5, 2018.
