It may appear to you and most casual observers of Alabama politics that our Alabama elected officials are old. That observation is accurate when you observe our current leaders in the highest offices.

The governor’s office has been held by mature folks in recent years. Currently, Gov. Kay Ivey is 78 and has been the object of national media humor for appearing to be a pistol toting great grandmother. Dr. Robert Bentley, her predecessor, was in his 70s, but he may have been sprier than he appeared. Bob Riley was no spring chicken while governor at 65, although he looked younger. Our iconic senator, Richard Shelby, retired in January at 88 after a record-breaking 36 years in the U.S. Senate.