Robert Bentley
Robert Julian Bentley (born February 3, 1943 in Columbiana) is the 53rd Governor of Alabama, having taken office on January 17, 2011. He formerly represented District 63 in the Alabama House of Representatives and practiced as a dermatologist.
Bentley is the son of David Harford Bentley, who owned a sawmill in Columbiana, and Mattie Boyd Vick Bentley. He graduated from Shelby County High School in 1961 and then entered the University of Alabama. After completing a bachelor of science he continued at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, receiving his M.D. in 1968 and interning at Carraway Methodist Hospital in Birmingham.
Bentley was commissioned a captain in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a general medical officer at Pope Air Force Base (Fort Bragg) during the Vietnam War. After his service, he served a three-year residency in dermatology. He went on to become a founding partner of Alabama Dermatology Associates in Tuscaloosa, the largest dermatology practice in the Southeast. He remains president of the practice.
Bentley and his wife, the former Martha Dianne Jones of Montgomery, were married July 24, 1965. The two have four sons and five granddaughters. They are members of First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa where he serves as a Sunday School teacher and Deacon.
A Republican, Bentley was elected to the Alabama House in November 2002 and ran unopposed for re-election in 2006. He served on the Agriculture, Education Appropriations and Internal Affairs Committees in the House. During the 2010 legislative session, Bentley sponsored a constitutional amendment to allow individuals and businesses in Alabama to refuse to participate in any national health care system.
On May 13, 2009 Bentley announced that he would run for governor in the 2010 Republican primary. From March 30 to April 5, 2010, he had his name legally changed to "Dr. Robert Bentley" in a failed attempt to allow his title to appear on the primary ballots. In the June 1 primary advanced to a runoff with attorney Bradley Byrne. Benefitting from the Alabama Education Association's attack ads against Byrne, Bentley collected 56% of the votes in the runoff to become the Republican nominee. He faced Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Ron Sparks in the 2010 general election and won 58% of the vote to become Governor-elect
As governor
Bentley was sworn in on Martin Luther King Day, Monday January 17, 2011. In his inaugural speech he promised to defend the hard-won rights of every citizen, and warned that Alabama's leaders would represent the people of the state, and resist "federal interference". He pledged that every state department and office would work to help create private-sector jobs by encouraging existing and new businesses. He confirmed his pledge not to accept a paycheck until the state's workforce reached full employment. He compared state service to the people to the humility shown by Jesus in washing the feet of his disciples.
Bentley's first official act as Governor was to sign an executive order abolishing the "Task Force on Illegal Gambling" created by former governor Bob Riley. He is a prominent supporter of the controversial Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act (HB-56) which criminalizes many forms of assistance to undocumented immigrants in the state. He signed the bill on June 9, 2011 and has subsequently defended it in interviews. During the 2012 legislative session, Governor Bentley asked for revisions to the law.
References
- Mickens, Cassandra. (May 13, 2009). "Columbiana native enters race for governor." Shelby County Reporter
- Tomberlin, Michael (May 17, 2010) "Campaign 2010: Robert Bentley criss-crosses Alabama, focuses on meeting voters in bid to win governor's office." Birmingham News
- Lockette, Tim (October 7, 2010) "Fact Check: Did Robert Bentley really change his name?" Anniston Star
- "Prepared text of Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley's inauguration speech." (January 17, 2011) Associated Press
External links
- Governor Robert Bentley at alabama.gov
- Robert Bentley for Governor campaign web site
- Robert Bentley campaign photos on Flickr.com