Sen. Smitherman Announces Support for Preuitt as Pro Tem
Dissident Democrats and Jim Preuitt pick up key support as Sen. Rodger Smitherman (D - Birmingham) announced today his support for Jim Preuitt as Senate President pro tempore. If the seven dissident Democrats, now including Smitherman, hold their coalition with the 12 Senate Republicans (and if Larry Means is not removed from the equation), the group would have 19 votes. Eighteen votes are necessary to set the organizing rules and select a president pro tem.
Smitherman is a big one to land as he has been chairman of the Judiciary Committee and is the second black senator to join the dissident Democrats (after E. B. McClain of Midfield).
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