Gov. Robert Bentley (R) “resigned Monday after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of campaign finance law violations, ending six years in office and giving a dramatic ending to a sex scandal that consumed his administration for more than a year.”
“In a finish to a political career almost as surprising as its beginning, Bentley pleaded guilty to charges of failing to file a major campaign finance report and converting campaign funds for personal use. He was sentenced to a 30-day suspended jail sentence and 12 months of probation; ordered to surrender all campaign funds ($36,912) and about $16,000 in other fines. … Bentley also gave up his right to seek public office again, the ability to appeal and all retirement benefits. … He intends to serve his 100 hours of community service performing dermatological work in rural Alabama counties.”
“Bentley’s governorship became increasingly overshadowed by allegations he pursued an affair with former staffer Rebekah Caldwell Mason and attempted to use state resources to pursue it, and state law enforcement to cover it up. The allegation led Monday to an unprecedented impeachment hearing into the governor. … It was the first impeachment considered by the Alabama House of Representatives since 1915, and the first ever directed at an Alabama governor.”
Former Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey (R), 72, “was sworn in as governor shortly after 6 p.m. Monday, and promised a break with scandals that engulfed the state.” (Montgomery Advertiser)
“Ivey, the first female Republican in Alabama history to hold the office of Lieutenant Governor, will be only the second woman to serve as Governor of the state. … Alabama’s only other female governor, Lurleen Burns Wallace, served only 16 months in office before her death in May 1968.” (AL.com)
2018. No Republicans signaled Monday that they were prepared to step aside for Ivey should she run next year as an incumbent when her term ends in early 2019.
State Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R): “I’ve put a team together to look at running for governor. Obviously, before I pull that trigger I’d have to talk with Gov. Ivey and just see what her ambitions are.”
State Agriculture Commissioner John McMillan (R): “I’m still planning to run. I haven’t made an announcement, but I’m still working on it, you know, putting together an organization and talking to folks around the state. … The transition in the governor’s office does not affect my decision.”
State Auditor Jim Zeigler (R): “Still considering, yes.”
Kelly Schrimsher, a spokeswoman for Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle (R): “There is an exploratory group looking at the possibility of Mayor Battle running for Governor in 2018, and those deliberations and conversations will continue into the weeks ahead.”
Danielle Cater, a spokeswoman for Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington (R): “I would anticipate the Commissioner will make a final decision within the next 45-days. With that said though, the Commissioner Carrington has been clear that Montgomery is a mess and he firmly believes that the state’s problems can’t be solved by a Washington or Montgomery insider who either created the messes or stood idly by while the messes were being created.” (Hotline reporting)