By Chip Brownlee
Alabama Political Reporter
After serving more than 34 years in the Alabama House of Representatives, State Rep. Richard Lindsey, D-Centre, is planning to retire next year. He announced Monday that he won’t be seeking re-election.
Lindsey arrived at the State House when he was only 27 years old, having served there since 1983.
“I truly love serving the people of my district, and making this decision was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” Lindsey said. “I wrestled with this decision for months. I turned to God’s word for guidance.”
Lindsey represents Cherokee County. As the seventh most senior member in the Legislature, according to his office, he has represented Cherokee County longer than any other representative in the state’s history.
While in the State House, Lindsey served for 10 years as the chairman of the Education Finance and Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the billion-dollar Education Trust Fund budget. He also served as House Agriculture Committee Chairman and several other committees.
“We have been very fortunate to have Richard in the Legislature all these years,” said Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden. “He’s certainly earned his right to retire, but I sure do hate it for the people of our area because, now more than ever, we need people of his integrity and caliber in the Legislature.”
Lindsey said he was proudest of helping to pass the education Rainy Day Fund and a billion-dollar bond issue for school construction. He also sponsored incentives packages to get Hyundai to Montgomery.
But the “crown jewel of his career,” he said, was his role in bringing Gadsden State Community College’s Cherokee Center to Cherokee County.
“This facility has changed the lives of many people in our area,” he said. “Many have received a college education, gained invaluable training, and found employment opportunities that otherwise would have never happened.”
