Victor Gaston

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Victor Gaston
Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives
Acting
In office
June 10, 2016 – August 15, 2016
Preceded byMike Hubbard
Succeeded byMac McCutcheon
Speaker pro tempore of the Alabama House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 8, 2010
Preceded byDemetrius Newton
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
from the 100th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 3, 1982
Preceded byJ. Thomas Sandusky[1]
Personal details
Born
Henry Victor Gaston

(1943-01-15) January 15, 1943 (age 79)
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
ResidenceMobile, Alabama, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Southern
Mississippi (BS)
University of South Alabama (MA)
Auburn University (EdD)

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

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 served as Acting Speaker until the full House reconvened to elect Mac McCutcheon as the 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 .[2][9] He is a member of Phi Delta Kappa, and a former member of the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars and the .[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][self-published source][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. ^ a b c d e f g 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 [1]
  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
Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives
Acting
2016 		Succeeded by
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