Gov. Ivey Starts Her Final Year With A Legacy Of Growth
Gov. Ivey oversaw the end of the last legislative session of her administration Thursday. The next day she began her tenth, and final, year as Alabama's 54th governor. She is the longest continuously serving governor in the state's history.
Kay Ivey was Lt. Governor when the second term of Tuscaloosa's Robert Bentley as the state's chief executive came to a premature end. He resigned on April 10, 2017, following a scandal and pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges—failing to file a major contribution report and converting campaign contributions to personal use—avoiding impeachment proceedings.
The 81-year-old Ivey had been a teacher, bank officer and Alabama Development Office official before becoming an office holder. She first served as Alabama State Treasurer (2003–2011) and Lieutenant Governor (2011–2017).
Details of the exchange of gubernatorial power were quietly worked out in the days before Ivey was sworn-in as Alabama's second female governor (Tuscaloosa's Lurleen B. Wallace was the first), and the first female Republican governor.
“I wake up each day grateful to God that I have the chance to call Alabama home and that my fellow Alabamians have placed their confidence in me to lead our state forward. Nine years ago, I pledged to the people of Alabama that I would leave our state better than I found it. We have made great progress over the last nine years, but our work is not done. I promise to continue giving it my all until the last day of my term to make sure Alabama remains the best state in which to live, work and raise a family,” Ivey stated in a press release marking the beginning of her final year in office.
The conservative governor from Wilcox County has overseen record investments and job creation, nationally recognized education gains, significant progress in the state’s roads, bridges and digital infrastructure, and increased public safety measures.
The Alabama Building Renovation Finance Authority has renamed the 5-story state office building located at 501 Washington Avenue in Montgomery as the "Kay Ivey Office Building."
Ivey's successor will be determined by November's general elections.
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