Victor Gaston

Victor Gaston (born January 15, 1943) is an American politician. He was the Acting Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives.[2]

Victor Gaston
Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Acting
In office June 10, 2016 – August 15, 2016
Preceded by	Mike Hubbard
Succeeded by	Mac McCutcheon
Speaker pro tempore of the Alabama House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office December 8, 2010
Preceded by	Demetrius Newton
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 100th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 17, 1983
Preceded by	J. Thomas Sandusky[1]
Personal details
Born	(1943-01-15) January 15, 1943 Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	University of Southern Mississippi (BS) University of South Alabama (MA) Auburn University (EdD)

Biography

Early life

Victor Gaston was born on January 15, 1943.[2] He received a B.S. from the University of Southern Mississippi, an M.A. from the University of South Alabama, and Ed.D from Auburn University.

Career

He worked as a school administrator and timber farmer.[2]

Alabama House of Representatives

Gaston was first elected to represent the 100th district in the Alabama House of Representatives in 1982.[3] He was elected by his colleagues to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore in December 2010 for a special session after the Republicans gained a majority during the 2010 mid-term elections.[4] He was re-elected to full four-year terms in 2011 and 2015.[5]

Acting Speaker of the House

Gaston became the Acting Speaker of the Alabama House of House per state law and House rules after incumbent Speaker Mike Hubbard was convicted on 12 felony counts of public corruption. Alabama law requires any public office holder immediately removed from office if they have been convicted of a felony.[6]

Gaston will serve as Acting Speaker until the full House reconvenes to elect a permanent Speaker. With the chamber adjourned sine die for the rest of 2016, Gov. Robert J. Bentley would have to call a special session or the election of a permanent Speaker would have to wait until the House reconvenes in February 2017.[7]

In June 2016, Gaston announced that he would seek the job of Speaker on a permanent basis.[8]

Public service

He also sits on the Advisory Council for the Assistance League of Mobile, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the State Building Commission, and the Southwest Alabama division of the National Mental Health Association.[2][9] He is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, and a former member of the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and the United States Energy Council.[2] Additionally, he serves on the Boards of Volunteers of America, the Penelope House, Home of Grace for Women, Mobile Mental Health Center, the Mobile Association of Retarded Citizens, and Alabama 4-H Club Foundation.[2][10][11]

Personal life

He is married with two sons.[2] He serves as a deacon at the Springhill Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, which was founded in 1949.[12]

References

1. https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=217081
2. Legislature biography
3. "REPRESENTATIVE GASTON, VICTOR". The Alabama Legislature. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
4. David White (December 7, 2010). "Republicans nominate Victor Gaston speaker pro-tem". The Birmingham News. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
5. Brandon Moseley (January 14, 2015). "Mike Hubbard Re-Elected As Speaker". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
6. Mike Cason (June 10, 2016). "Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard convicted on 12 counts". The Birmingham News. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
7. John Sharp (June 14, 2016). "Why Acting Alabama House Speaker Victor Gaston's 'steady hand' could be the 'perfect choice'". The Birmingham News. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
8. Mike Cason (June 22, 2016). "Rep. Victor Gaston won't seek Alabama House speaker position". The Birmingham News. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
9. Mental Health Association SouthWest Alabama
10. Kathryn Coumanis, You Can't Beat An Alabama Woman, Xlibris, Corp., 2010, p. 50
11. Alabama 4-H Club Foundation Board
12. Spring Hill Baptist Church: Our History

Alabama House of Representatives
Preceded by Demetrius Newton	Speaker pro tempore of the Alabama House of Representatives 2010–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Mike Hubbard	Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives Acting 2016	Succeeded by Mac McCutcheon