Albert Brewer
Encyclopedia
Albert Preston Brewer (born October 26, 1928) is an American politician who was the 47th Governor of Alabama
from May 7, 1968 until January 18, 1971.
. Prior to his election as the 21st Lieutenant Governor, he served three terms in the Alabama House of Representatives
from Morgan County from 1954–1966. During the last of these terms, 1962–1966, Brewer, at age 34, became the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives
, the youngest person in state history to hold this post. Originally an ally of George Corley Wallace, Jr.
, Brewer ran for lieutenant governor in 1966 when Wallace's wife, Lurleen Burns Wallace
, was the Democratic
nominee for governor.
While lieutenant governor, he was acting governor
for a portion of one day while Governor Lurleen Wallace was out of the state for over twenty days for medical treatment. When this constitutional provision became operative, Mrs. Wallace was immediately rushed back into the state.
When Mrs. Wallace subsequently died in office in May 1968 and Brewer became governor, he took over direct management of the state and did not solicit input from George Wallace. Wallace was in the midst of his bid for the Presidency
as the candidate of his own American Independent Party
. Thus, Brewer began to work to be elected as governor in his own right in 1970. In this effort, he gained an important ally in President Richard M. Nixon, who had defeated Wallace in the 1968 presidential election and who sought to neutralize Wallace as a potential adversary in 1972
. Brewer's 1970 gubernatorial campaign, however, was revolutionary in many respects. Although earlier in his political career he was regarded as a conservative segregationist (but not a race-baiter), Brewer refused to engage in racist rhetoric and courted newly-registered black voters. He hoped to build a coalition
of blacks, educated middle-class whites, and working-class whites from northern Alabama (traditionally the most left-leaning part of the state). He unveiled a platform calling for more education funding, an ethics commission, and a commission to revise Alabama's 1901 state constitution, which had been deliberately framed to disenfranchise blacks and poor whites.
Brewer led Wallace in the Democratic primary but failed to win an outright majority. He then faced Wallace in a runoff. Wallace, running an openly racist campaign that accused a "black bloc" of trying to take over the state, openly slurred Brewer and his family. Wallace narrowly won the Democratic runoff. He later won the general election over his Republican opponent.
's Cumberland School of Law
. He currently teaches a course on Professional Responsibility at the Cumberland School of Law
. He has also been an active leader with the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform since 2000.
in eastern Morgan County is named in honor of Brewer. The school opened in 1972. Its patriot mascot is named Preston, Governor Brewer's middle name.
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
from May 7, 1968 until January 18, 1971.
Life and political career
Brewer was born in Bethel Springs, TennesseeBethel Springs, Tennessee
Bethel Springs is a town in McNairy County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 763 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bethel Springs is located at . Bethel Springs was named after a Presbyterian Church that was founded in the area. The name Bethel cam from Bethlehem, the birth place of Jesus...
. Prior to his election as the 21st Lieutenant Governor, he served three terms in the Alabama House of Representatives
Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal amount of districts, with each constituency containing at least 42,380 citizens. There are no term...
from Morgan County from 1954–1966. During the last of these terms, 1962–1966, Brewer, at age 34, became the Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives
Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal amount of districts, with each constituency containing at least 42,380 citizens. There are no term...
, the youngest person in state history to hold this post. Originally an ally of George Corley Wallace, Jr.
George Wallace
George Corley Wallace, Jr. was the 45th Governor of Alabama, serving four terms: 1963–1967, 1971–1979 and 1983–1987. "The most influential loser" in 20th-century U.S. politics, according to biographers Dan T. Carter and Stephan Lesher, he ran for U.S...
, Brewer ran for lieutenant governor in 1966 when Wallace's wife, Lurleen Burns Wallace
Lurleen Wallace
Lurleen Brigham Wallace , born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was the 46th Governor of Alabama from 1967 until her death in 1968. She was the first wife of Alabama Governor George Wallace, whom she succeeded as governor. She succeeded her husband as he was forbidden by Alabama law to succeed himself. She...
, was the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nominee for governor.
While lieutenant governor, he was acting governor
Acting governor
An acting governor is a constitutional position created in some U.S. states when the governor dies in office or resigns. In some states, the governor may also be declared to be incapacitated and unable to function for various reasons, including illness and absence from the state for more than a...
for a portion of one day while Governor Lurleen Wallace was out of the state for over twenty days for medical treatment. When this constitutional provision became operative, Mrs. Wallace was immediately rushed back into the state.
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
as the candidate of his own American Independent Party
American Independent Party
The American Independent Party is a right-wing political party of the United States that was established in 1967 by Bill and Eileen Shearer. In 1968, the American Independent Party nominated George C. Wallace as its presidential candidate and retired Air Force General Curtis E. LeMay as the vice...
. Thus, Brewer began to work to be elected as governor in his own right in 1970. In this effort, he gained an important ally in President Richard M. Nixon, who had defeated Wallace in the 1968 presidential election and who sought to neutralize Wallace as a potential adversary in 1972
United States presidential election, 1972
The United States presidential election of 1972 was the 47th quadrennial United States presidential election. It was held on November 7, 1972. The Democratic Party's nomination was eventually won by Senator George McGovern, who ran an anti-war campaign against incumbent Republican President Richard...
. Brewer's 1970 gubernatorial campaign, however, was revolutionary in many respects. Although earlier in his political career he was regarded as a conservative segregationist (but not a race-baiter), Brewer refused to engage in racist rhetoric and courted newly-registered black voters. He hoped to build a coalition
Coalition
A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant...
of blacks, educated middle-class whites, and working-class whites from northern Alabama (traditionally the most left-leaning part of the state). He unveiled a platform calling for more education funding, an ethics commission, and a commission to revise Alabama's 1901 state constitution, which had been deliberately framed to disenfranchise blacks and poor whites.
Brewer led Wallace in the Democratic primary but failed to win an outright majority. He then faced Wallace in a runoff. Wallace, running an openly racist campaign that accused a "black bloc" of trying to take over the state, openly slurred Brewer and his family. Wallace narrowly won the Democratic runoff. He later won the general election over his Republican opponent.
Post-gubernatorial life
After years of private law practice, Brewer served as Distinguished Professor of Law and Government at Samford UniversitySamford University
Samford University, founded as Howard College is a private, coeducational, Alabama Baptist Convention-affiliated university located in Homewood, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It includes the , Cumberland School of Law, McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Brock School of Business, Ida V....
's Cumberland School of Law
Cumberland School of Law
Cumberland School of Law is an ABA accredited law school at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. The 11th oldest law school in the United States, it is 160 years old and has more than 11,000 graduates. Its alumni include two United States Supreme Court Justices; Nobel Peace Prize recipient...
. He currently teaches a course on Professional Responsibility at the Cumberland School of Law
Cumberland School of Law
Cumberland School of Law is an ABA accredited law school at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. The 11th oldest law school in the United States, it is 160 years old and has more than 11,000 graduates. Its alumni include two United States Supreme Court Justices; Nobel Peace Prize recipient...
. He has also been an active leader with the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform since 2000.
Honors
Albert P. Brewer High SchoolAlbert P. Brewer High School
Albert P. Brewer Area Vocational and High School is part of the Morgan County School System. The school is nestled in the foot hills of the Appalachian Mountains at Florette, Alabama. The grounds are approximately 80 acres located at the intersection of highway 67 and Eva Road. Its mascot is the...
in eastern Morgan County is named in honor of Brewer. The school opened in 1972. Its patriot mascot is named Preston, Governor Brewer's middle name.