His official election to the post by the full House won’t happen until August 15, the first day of the special session called by Gov. Robert Bentley. His nomination was unanimous, according to a House Republican press release.
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After six hours of deliberations Tuesday, Alabama House Republicans nominated House Rules Committee chairman Mac McCutcheon, R-Madison, for House speaker, nearly assuring that he will get the gavel when the chamber convenes August 15.
McCutcheon announced last month he planned to run for the speaker seat that was vacated when Mike Hubbard was convicted June 12 of felony ethics violations.
One Democrat, Rep. Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham, is now pursuing the position and will face off against McCutcheon when the House votes on their next speaker.
McCutcheon had been chairman of the Rules Committee, which sets the daily agenda of bills, under former Speaker Mike Hubbard.
Hubbard said he plans to appeal the conviction.
“I knew I had my back against the wall”, Clouse said. “And I think people should at least give us a chance because this is a new day”.
“Mac’s a good guy and he’s congenial and he’s got a good demeanor, and I think that will serve him well on trying to bring all sides together as we go into a special session”.
A speaker can not be formally elected until the Alabama Legislature convenes next year, but Republicans hold 70 of 103 House seats, making his election a near-certainty. A judge sentenced Hubbard to four years in prison, but Hubbard is appealing and remains free.
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Before becoming a legislator, McCutcheon was a police officer with the Huntsville Police Department for 25 years.
