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
In office
December 8, 2010 – January 10, 2023
Preceded byDemetrius Newton
Succeeded byChris Pringle
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
from the 100th district
In office
November 3, 1982 – November 2022
Preceded byThomas Sandusky
Succeeded byMark Shirey
Personal details
Born
Henry Victor Gaston

(1943-01-15) January 15, 1943
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Mobile, 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.[1]

Biography

Early life

Victor Gaston was born on January 15, 1943.[1] 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.[1]

Alabama House of Representatives

Gaston was first elected to represent the 100th district in the Alabama House of Representatives in 1982.[2][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 National Mental Health Association.[1][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.[1] 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.[1][10][11]

Personal life

He is married with two sons.[1] He serves as a deacon at the Springhill Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, which was founded in 1949.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Legislature biography
  2. ↑ "REPRESENTATIVE GASTON, VICTOR". The Alabama Legislature. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Our Campaigns - AL House 100 Race - Nov 02, 1982".
  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
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