As the Alabama Legislature convenes for their 2025 Regular Legislative Session this week, the State Senate will have a new President Pro Tem. Forty-nine year old State Senator Garlan Gudger of Cullman will ascend to the top leadership post in the Alabama Senate.

He will succeed Senator Greg Reed of Jasper, who has moved into Governor Kay Ivey’s Cabinet as head of the new Department of Workforce Development. The State Senate has a solid super Republican majority. There are 27 Republicans and only eight Democrats in the 35-member upper chamber.