Alabama Commissioner Of Agriculture Calls For Speaker Of House To Resign

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 3210

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Sep 25 2015 10:04 PM

by Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter 


MONTGOMERY—Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillian has now publicly stated that he believes Speaker Mike Hubbard should step down as Speaker. 

In a phone conversation with the Alabama Political Reporter, McMillian, a highly respect republican  said, “I think it is time for him to step down.” Hubbard was charged in October of last year with committing 23 felony counts of public corruption. Hubbard has stubbornly held on to the Speaker’s gavel despite the ever-growing body of evidence making its way into the press. 

When pressed for details on why Hubbard should resign his leadership roll, McMillian said, “For all the obvious reason…with all the problems facing our state, serious issues before the legislature, his legal problem have become a distraction. 

Hundreds of emails have been release by the State’s prosecution in response to Hubbard’s attorney J. Mark Whites motions. The latest barrage of emails release this week show Hubbard asking for lobbying jobs, pressuring business leaders for work and scheming with former Gov. Bob Riley to make tens of thousands of dollars in a potentially illegal sub-contracting deal.

McMillian believes that not only are Hubbard’s legal woes a distraction for those trying to conduct state business but also a detriment to the ALGOP brand. “There is no way to put a positive spin on it,” said McMillian.

Privately a growing number of lawmakers are saying Hubbard needs to go but McMillian is the first statewide elected constitutional officer to go public with the call.

<- back