Beth Chapman (politician)
Encyclopedia
Beth Killough Chapman. is an American politician from Alabama
. A member of the Republican Party
, she is currently the state's 51st secretary of state
.
. Following graduation from Fort Dale Academy http://www.fortdale.com, she earned a B.S. from the University of Montevallo
, and a Master's degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham
. In 1988, she married James Chapman, with whom she has two sons, Winston Taylor Chapman (named in honor of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill
) and William Thatcher Chapman (named in honor of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
). Mr. Chapman unexpectedly died in April 2011, of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The family currently lives in Hoover, Alabama
. Chapman also maintains a residence in Montgomery, Alabama.
, becoming the first woman to serve in that post. Following a stint in the private sector, she served as Press Secretary for Lieutenant Governor Steve Windom
from 2000 to 2001. During the 2000 presidential election, she served as a delegate pledged to George W. Bush
at the Republican National Convention
in Philadelphia, and as a member of Alabama's delegation to the Electoral College
later that year.
Resigning from Lt. Governor Windom's staff in November 2001, she entered the 2002 race for State Auditor, scoring an upset victory in the Republican primary, before goining on to win the general election, capturing a seat previously held by Democrat Susan Parker
. She served as State Auditor of Alabama
from 2003 to 2007. She was elected as Secretary of State in November 2006, defeating incumbent Nancy Worley
by a margin of 57% to 43%. She assumed that office in January 2007. Chapman was mentioned as a possible candidate for Governor of Alabama in the 2010 election.
In early 2008, Chapman became the subject of attacks by Mark Montiel, a Republican former judge. Montiel sought to have the Alabama Ethics Commission and the Attorney General review tens of thousands of dollars paid by Chapman's 2006 campaign to her husband and sons. Attorney General Troy King
, a fellow Republican, announced the complaint against Chapman does not appear to raise any violations of the law. He also wrote that state law does not prohibit a candidate from hiring family members to work in a campaign. Chapman was cleared by the Ethics Commission on the complaint.
In May 2008, Chapman again made headlines when an Associated Press story revealed that Chapman's personal consulting firm is paid nearly $50,000 annually by a private charity that receives funding from the state government. Democratic critics attacked Chapman, and Alabama Republicans generally, for engaging in such deals while attacking Democratic legislators holding state jobs. Chapman denied wrongdoing, and stated that the charity's funds paid to her firm come from fundraising, not its state grants. The Birmingham News
, which had endorsed Chapman in her 2006 campaign, rejected these arguments and sharply criticized her over the issue.
On April 6, 2009 Chapman announced she would seek reelection as Alabama Secretary of State in 2010, and was successful in her bid.
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. A member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, she is currently the state's 51st secretary of state
Secretary of State of Alabama
The Secretary of State of Alabama is one of the constitutional officers of the U.S. state of Alabama. The office actually predates the statehood of Alabama, dating back to the Alabama Territory. From 1819 to 1901, the Secretary of State served a two-year term until the State Constitution was...
.
Personal
Beth Killough was born in Greenville, AlabamaGreenville, Alabama
Greenville is a city in Butler County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census, the population was 7,228. The city is the county seat of Butler County and is known as the Camellia City. The movement to change the Official Alabama State Flower from the goldenrod to the camellia originated in...
. Following graduation from Fort Dale Academy http://www.fortdale.com, she earned a B.S. from the University of Montevallo
University of Montevallo
The University of Montevallo is a four-year public university located in Montevallo, Alabama, USA. Founded in 1896, it is Alabama's only public liberal arts college and a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges. Programs are offered through the Michael E...
, and a Master's degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama. Developing from an extension center established in 1936, the institution became an autonomous institution in 1969 and is today one of three institutions in the University of Alabama System...
. In 1988, she married James Chapman, with whom she has two sons, Winston Taylor Chapman (named in honor of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
) and William Thatcher Chapman (named in honor of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
). Mr. Chapman unexpectedly died in April 2011, of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). The family currently lives in Hoover, Alabama
Hoover, Alabama
Hoover is a city in Jefferson and Shelby Counties in north central Alabama, in the United States. The largest suburb of Birmingham, the population of the city was 62,742 as of the 2000 census and 81,619 in the 2010 census. Hoover is part of the Birmingham-Hoover, AL MSA and is also included in the...
. Chapman also maintains a residence in Montgomery, Alabama.
Political History
From 1995 to 1996, she served as Appointments Secretary in the Cabinet of Governor Fob JamesFob James
Forrest Hood James, Jr., known as Fob James , is an American politician, a civil engineer, and an all-American half-back...
, becoming the first woman to serve in that post. Following a stint in the private sector, she served as Press Secretary for Lieutenant Governor Steve Windom
Steve Windom
Stephen Ralph Windom is an American politician who served as a Senator in the Alabama State Senate from 1989 to 1998 and as the 27th Lieutenant Governor of Alabama from 1999 to 2003....
from 2000 to 2001. During the 2000 presidential election, she served as a delegate pledged to George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
at the Republican National Convention
2000 Republican National Convention
The 2000 National Convention of the Republican Party of the United States convened at the First Union Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 31 to August 3, 2000. The 2066 delegates assembled at the convention nominated Texas Governor George W. Bush as the Republican candidate for U.S....
in Philadelphia, and as a member of Alabama's delegation to the Electoral College
United States Electoral College
The Electoral College consists of the electors appointed by each state who formally elect the President and Vice President of the United States. Since 1964, there have been 538 electors in each presidential election...
later that year.
Resigning from Lt. Governor Windom's staff in November 2001, she entered the 2002 race for State Auditor, scoring an upset victory in the Republican primary, before goining on to win the general election, capturing a seat previously held by Democrat Susan Parker
Susan Parker
Susan D. Parker is an American Democratic politician from Alabama. A resident of Rogersville, Parker was elected Alabama State Auditor in 1998 and served until 2002....
. She served as State Auditor of Alabama
State auditor of Alabama
The State Auditor of Alabama is constitutionally required to make a full and complete report to the Governor of Alabama showing the receipts and disbursement of every character, all claims audited and paid out, and all taxes and revenues collected and paid into the treasury. The office also makes...
from 2003 to 2007. She was elected as Secretary of State in November 2006, defeating incumbent Nancy Worley
Nancy Worley
Nancy Worley is an American Democratic politician.Worley was born in New Hope, Alabama. She served as Alabama Secretary of State from 2003 to 2007. In the 2006 general election, she was defeated for re-election by then-State Auditor Beth Chapman.Worley received a B.A. degree from the University of...
by a margin of 57% to 43%. She assumed that office in January 2007. Chapman was mentioned as a possible candidate for Governor of Alabama in the 2010 election.
In early 2008, Chapman became the subject of attacks by Mark Montiel, a Republican former judge. Montiel sought to have the Alabama Ethics Commission and the Attorney General review tens of thousands of dollars paid by Chapman's 2006 campaign to her husband and sons. Attorney General Troy King
Troy King
Troy Robin King is the former attorney general of the state of Alabama, United States. He previously served as an assistant attorney general and a legal adviser to both Republican governors Bob Riley and Fob James. King was appointed by Governor Bob Riley in 2004, when William Pryor resigned to...
, a fellow Republican, announced the complaint against Chapman does not appear to raise any violations of the law. He also wrote that state law does not prohibit a candidate from hiring family members to work in a campaign. Chapman was cleared by the Ethics Commission on the complaint.
In May 2008, Chapman again made headlines when an Associated Press story revealed that Chapman's personal consulting firm is paid nearly $50,000 annually by a private charity that receives funding from the state government. Democratic critics attacked Chapman, and Alabama Republicans generally, for engaging in such deals while attacking Democratic legislators holding state jobs. Chapman denied wrongdoing, and stated that the charity's funds paid to her firm come from fundraising, not its state grants. The Birmingham News
The Birmingham News
The Birmingham News is the principal daily newspaper for Birmingham, Alabama, United States, and the largest newspaper in Alabama. The paper is owned by Advance Publications...
, which had endorsed Chapman in her 2006 campaign, rejected these arguments and sharply criticized her over the issue.
On April 6, 2009 Chapman announced she would seek reelection as Alabama Secretary of State in 2010, and was successful in her bid.