Rodger Mell Smitherman (born March 2, 1953) is a Democratic

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...

 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...

, representing the 18th District since 1995. He is also a member of the Alabama Sentencing Commission

Alabama Sentencing Commission

The Alabama Sentencing Commission was established to maintain an effective, fair, and efficient sentencing system for the state of Alabama. The 17-member commission is also charged with enhancing public safety, providing truth-in-sentencing and preventing unwarranted disparity in the sentencing of...

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Senator Smitherman was elected President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate on February 5, 2009. He is a graduate of 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 Miles Law School

Miles Law School

Miles Law School is a state accredited law school located in Birmingham, Alabama. It is independent of Miles College.Miles Law School was founded on August 26, 1974. Among the founders were Bishop C. A. Kirkendoll of the C.M.E. Church, Dr. W. Clyde Williams, former president of Miles College,...

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Senator Smitherman's wife is current Birmingham City Councilor and former Mayor Carole Smitherman

Carole Smitherman

Carole Catlin Smitherman is a Birmingham City Councilor. Smitherman served briefly in 2009 as the 31st Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama....

. They are the parents of four children. The Smithermans maintain a law practice in downtown Birmingham.

External links

• Alabama State Legislature: Senator Rodger Mell Smitherman – official government website
• Project Vote Smart – Senator Rodger M. Smitherman (AL) profile
• Follow the Money – Rodger M. Smitherman: 2006 2002 1998 campaign contributions