By Marlee Jackson
(334) 613-4219

Alabama Farmers Federation leadership today congratulated Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, who will be the next Alabama Senate president pro tempore, the chamber’s highest leadership position.

Gudger defeated Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, in a closed-door GOP caucus vote Dec. 3.

“Sens. Gudger and Livingston are both friends of this organization, and we appreciate their service to our state,” said Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “We are confident Sen. Gudger will provide strong leadership in the Senate. He has a proven record of helping Alabama farm families, and we look forward to continuing our work with him.”

Parnell also thanked current Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper. Reed, who has led the chamber since 2021, is departing to direct Alabama’s workforce development efforts.

As president pro tempore, Gudger will help set the tone of the legislative session, decide priority issues and committee assignments, and work with House counterparts to advance legislation. Livingston will remain Senate majority leader, a position he assumed in 2023.

“As far as issues, we’re going to focus on the members and what their interests are right now, and that’s what my job is — to make sure that we’re taking care of the people who are in our body,” Gudger said. “Right now, there’s not going to be one particular issue that I’m going to be bringing up. I want to do what’s best for the state of Alabama and the people of Alabama.”

Gudger is a small-business owner and second-term senator. He previously chaired the Senate Committee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Development Committee, in addition to six other committee assignments. His new role as president pro tem won’t be official until all 35 members of the chamber, including Democrats, gather to begin the legislative session Feb. 4.