Hinton Mitchem
Encyclopedia
Hinton Mitchem is a former Democratic
member of the Alabama Senate
, representing the 9th District from 1979 to January 1987 and then again from June 1987 to January 2011. He first entered politics as a member of the Albertville, Alabama
City Council in 1968. In 1974, he was elected unopposed in the general a member of the Alabama House of Representatives
, representing the 25th District, serving a single four-year term from 1975 through 1979 before his election to the Senate. He ran without Republican opposition again in both his first race and in 1982 as well as the special 1983 race the entire legislature had to run in. In 1986, Mitchem stepped down from the Senate and ran in the primary for Lieutenant Governor
. In a four-person field, he placed third behind fellow State Senator John Teague
and eventual winner, Jim Folsom, Jr.
, placing just ahead of former State Treasurer
Melba Till Allen.
When Senate successor Loyd Coleman was forced from office upon a criminal conviction in April 1987, Mitchem jumped into the special election and won handily in the primary, and by a 2-to-1 margin over Republican Nell Burton Skidmore. He won unopposed again in 1990. With the growing strength of the Alabama Republicans, he faced opposition during his last terms in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006, with a declining, but respectable, percentage of the vote. His closest race was his final one in 2006 where he prevailed by 7% over attorney Bill Ingram
of Guntersville, Alabama
.
Mitchem was elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate on January 9, 2007 by a margin of 18–17 over the efforts of a coalition of Republicans and disaffected Democrats to elect leadership that would be more favorable to then-Gov. Bob Riley
. He then resigned from the position on February 5, 2009 per a prior agreement to allow a vote on Rodger Smitherman
to succeed him for the remaining two years of the session. As of 2010, Mitchem was serving in his 36th year in the Alabama Legislature
, then the longest-serving member (with a 5 month gap of service in early 1987). He chose to retire in 2010 and was succeeded by Republican
Clay Scofield.
Mitchem received his Bachelor of Science
(B.S.) degree in Education from the University of Georgia
in 1961. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He moved from Georgia
to Marshall County, Alabama
in 1962. He was the owner of Hinton Mitchem Tractor Co., Inc. from 1965 until he sold it in 2005. In 1980, he was appointed by then-Governor Fob James, Jr. as Chairman of the Alabama Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness, serving in that capacity for 28 years. He also served 18 consecutive years as Chairman of the Alabama Special Olympics.
He is a Rotarian and enjoys golf and traveling in his spare time. As of 2010, he is married to the former Judy Corley of Cullman. They have four children, Todd, Tanya, Dee and Brittnie, and three grandchildren.
campaign contributions
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...
member of the Alabama Senate
Alabama Senate
The Alabama State Senate is the upper house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The body is composed of 35 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state, with each district containing at least 127,140 citizens...
, representing the 9th District from 1979 to January 1987 and then again from June 1987 to January 2011. He first entered politics as a member of the Albertville, Alabama
Albertville, Alabama
Albertville is a city in Marshall County, Alabama, United States, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population of the city was 21,160.- History :...
City Council in 1968. In 1974, he was elected unopposed in the general a member 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...
, representing the 25th District, serving a single four-year term from 1975 through 1979 before his election to the Senate. He ran without Republican opposition again in both his first race and in 1982 as well as the special 1983 race the entire legislature had to run in. In 1986, Mitchem stepped down from the Senate and ran in the primary for Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
. In a four-person field, he placed third behind fellow State Senator John Teague
John Teague
John Teague was a Canadian architect and mayor of Victoria, British Columbia.Born in Cornwall, United Kingdom, Teague left the UK in 1856 spending some time in California before emigrating to British Columbia in 1858. He was an alderman and mayor of Victoria from 1894 to 1895.-References:...
and eventual winner, Jim Folsom, Jr.
Jim Folsom, Jr.
James Elisha Folsom, Jr. is an American Democratic politician who was the 50th Governor of Alabama from April 22, 1993 to January 16, 1995.-Early life and career:...
, placing just ahead of former State Treasurer
State Treasurer
In the state governments of the United States, 49 of the 50 states have the executive position of treasurer. Texas abolished the position of Texas State Treasurer in 1996....
Melba Till Allen.
When Senate successor Loyd Coleman was forced from office upon a criminal conviction in April 1987, Mitchem jumped into the special election and won handily in the primary, and by a 2-to-1 margin over Republican Nell Burton Skidmore. He won unopposed again in 1990. With the growing strength of the Alabama Republicans, he faced opposition during his last terms in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006, with a declining, but respectable, percentage of the vote. His closest race was his final one in 2006 where he prevailed by 7% over attorney Bill Ingram
Bill Ingram
William A. "Bill" Ingram was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at The College of William & Mary , Indiana University , the United States Naval Academy , and the University of California, Berkeley , compiling a career record of 75–42–9...
of Guntersville, Alabama
Guntersville, Alabama
Guntersville is a city in Marshall County, Alabama, United States and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. At the 2010 census, the population of the city was 8,197. The city is the county seat of Marshall County. Guntersville is located in a HUBZone as identified by the...
.
Mitchem was elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate on January 9, 2007 by a margin of 18–17 over the efforts of a coalition of Republicans and disaffected Democrats to elect leadership that would be more favorable to then-Gov. Bob Riley
Bob Riley
Bob Riley may refer to:* Bob Riley, 52nd Governor of Alabama* Bob C. Riley, acting Governor of Arkansas for 11 days in 1975* Bob Riley , sports car designer and founder of Riley Technologies...
. He then resigned from the position on February 5, 2009 per a prior agreement to allow a vote on Rodger Smitherman
Rodger Smitherman
Rodger Mell Smitherman is a Democratic member of the Alabama Senate, representing the 18th District since 1995. He is also a member of the Alabama Sentencing Commission....
to succeed him for the remaining two years of the session. As of 2010, Mitchem was serving in his 36th year in the Alabama Legislature
Alabama Legislature
The Alabama Legislature is the legislative branch of the state government of Alabama. It is a bicameral body composed of the Alabama House of Representatives, with 105 members, and the Alabama Senate, with 35 members...
, then the longest-serving member (with a 5 month gap of service in early 1987). He chose to retire in 2010 and was succeeded by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Clay Scofield.
Mitchem received his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
(B.S.) degree in Education from the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
in 1961. He also served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He moved from Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
to Marshall County, Alabama
Marshall County, Alabama
Marshall County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is included in the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. Its name is in honor of John Marshall, famous Chief Justice of the United States. As of 2010 the population was 93,019...
in 1962. He was the owner of Hinton Mitchem Tractor Co., Inc. from 1965 until he sold it in 2005. In 1980, he was appointed by then-Governor Fob James, Jr. as Chairman of the Alabama Governor's Commission on Physical Fitness, serving in that capacity for 28 years. He also served 18 consecutive years as Chairman of the Alabama Special Olympics.
He is a Rotarian and enjoys golf and traveling in his spare time. As of 2010, he is married to the former Judy Corley of Cullman. They have four children, Todd, Tanya, Dee and Brittnie, and three grandchildren.
External links
- Alabama State Legislature - Senator Hinton Mitchem archived official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Hinton Mitchem (AL) profile
- Follow the Money - Hinton Mitchem
campaign contributions
