James R. Bennett
Encyclopedia
James R. "Jim" Bennett is a Republican
politician
from Alabama
.
He served as secretary of state of Alabama
, having been appointed to fill a vacancy in 1993 and subsequently elected to two terms in his own right in 1994, as a Democrat
, and 1998, as a Republican. Prior to his appointment as Alabama's 49th Secretary of State, he had served for the previous decade spanning 1983 to 1993 as a member of the Alabama Senate
. From 1978 to 1983, he served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives
.
Following his tenure as secretary of state, he was appointed to his current post as commissioner of the Alabama Department of Labor in the Cabinet of Governor Bob Riley
in July 2003 and reappointed by Gov. Robert Bentley in January 2011.
Bennett is a graduate of Jacksonville State University
, from which he received a Bachelor of Science
degree, and the University of Alabama
, from which he received a Master of Arts
. Bennett is a brother of the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at Jacksonville State University. He serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees at Jacksonville State, of which he has been a member since 1985, and was president of the National Association of Secretaries of State from 1999 to 2000. He is the author of several history books including Historic Birmingham and Jefferson County, published in 2008, and Tannehill and the Growth of the Alabama Iron Industry, published in 1999.
Bennett was a reporter for the Birmingham Post-Herald
from 1961 to 1971 before he entered politics. In 1969 he was selected for a national award by the American Political Science Association
for his reporting on public affairs.
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...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Alabama
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...
.
He served as secretary of state of Alabama
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...
, having been appointed to fill a vacancy in 1993 and subsequently elected to two terms in his own right in 1994, as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, and 1998, as a Republican. Prior to his appointment as Alabama's 49th Secretary of State, he had served for the previous decade spanning 1983 to 1993 as a member of the Alabama Senate
Alabama Senate
The Alabama State Senate is the upper house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The body is composed of 35 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state, with each district containing at least 127,140 citizens...
. From 1978 to 1983, he served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives
Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal amount of districts, with each constituency containing at least 42,380 citizens. There are no term...
.
Following his tenure as secretary of state, he was appointed to his current post as commissioner of the Alabama Department of Labor in the Cabinet of Governor Bob Riley
Bob Riley
Bob Riley may refer to:* Bob Riley, 52nd Governor of Alabama* Bob C. Riley, acting Governor of Arkansas for 11 days in 1975* Bob Riley , sports car designer and founder of Riley Technologies...
in July 2003 and reappointed by Gov. Robert Bentley in January 2011.
Bennett is a graduate of Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University is a regional public coeducational university located in Jacksonville, Alabama, USA. Founded in 1883, Jacksonville State offers programs of study in four academic units leading to Bachelor's, Master's, and Education Specialist degrees, in addition to continuing and...
, from which he received a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree, and the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, from which he received a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
. Bennett is a brother of the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at Jacksonville State University. He serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees at Jacksonville State, of which he has been a member since 1985, and was president of the National Association of Secretaries of State from 1999 to 2000. He is the author of several history books including Historic Birmingham and Jefferson County, published in 2008, and Tannehill and the Growth of the Alabama Iron Industry, published in 1999.
Bennett was a reporter for the Birmingham Post-Herald
Birmingham Post-Herald
The Birmingham Post-Herald was a daily newspaper in Birmingham, Alabama with roots dating back to 1850, before the founding of Birmingham. The final edition was published on September 23, 2005...
from 1961 to 1971 before he entered politics. In 1969 he was selected for a national award by the American Political Science Association
American Political Science Association
The American Political Science Association is a professional association of political science students and scholars in the United States. Founded in 1903, it publishes three academic journals...
for his reporting on public affairs.