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June 10, 2009

Sen. Little to run for re-election

By Patrick McCreless

There is still much Sen. Zeb Little wants to do to help Alabama.

Though he has not made an official announcement, during a phone interview with The Cullman Times Monday, Little acknowledged his intention to run for re-election to the Alabama Senate in 2010.

“We’ve got a lot of serious issues we’re dealing with ... the economy is in terrible shape,” Little said. “I’ve worked on several bills to deal with that ... and there is still much more of that I want to do.”

Little, who is a Democrat, is currently serving his third term representing the 4th District, which includes Cullman, Lawrence and Winston Counties. He is also Senate Floor Leader and Majority Leader.

Two local citizens, Patricia McGriff of Holly Pond and Paul Bussman of Cullman, have already announced their intentions to run for Little’s seat on the Republican ticket.

Little came under the spotlight in recent months after he was arrested in Jefferson County for driving under the influence of alcohol. Little pled guilty to the crimes and was sentenced to a 30-day suspended jail sentence with one year probation and was fined $625. Little was also required to attend a DUI class and his driver’s license was suspended for 90 days.

When asked about how the DUI conviction might impact the voters, Little said candidates should be judged on their record of service.

“Like the last two times I’ve run, I’ll put the facts out and let people judge on my record,” Little said. “But ultimately, the decision is up to the people. I look forward to talking about the issues.”

Little cited various bills he either sponsored or supported this year that will positively impact Alabama, including a bill to keep murderers from profiting from their crimes, such as writing books about their cases.

Little also co-sponsored a bill to protect landlords from tenants who refuse to pay their utility bills.

“When a tenant runs up a bill, it prevents a utility from putting a lean on a landlord’s property,” Little said.

Little noted much of his legislation would never be passed if he did not have bi-partisan support.

“To be successful passing legislation, you have to work together,” Little said. “It takes bi-partisan support and I’ve been able to do that.”

Little is an attorney and is married to the former Deanna Smith of Cullman. They have two children: a son, Zebulon Peyton, Jr. and a daughter, Emily Britt.



‰ Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.

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