MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Governor Kay Ivey took a firm stance on Tuesday regarding the termination of the state’s veterans commissioner, W. Kent Davis, labeling it as a necessary action after the state board declined her earlier request to dismiss him.

Ivey addressed reporters following a speech at a Montgomery civic gathering. When approached about her move to remove Davis, she also clarified that she has no intentions to replace the chairwoman of the parole board, who faced scrutiny from state lawmakers over a different issue.

Last week, Ivey asserted that she was exercising her gubernatorial powers to remove Davis, a decision prompted by the State Board of Veterans Affairs voting 3-2 against her appeal for his ousting.

Although Davis had planned to step down at the end of the year, his impending departure did not deter Ivey from insisting on his immediate removal. Tensions between Davis and Ivey’s office escalated due to a federal grant initiative and an ethics complaint that Davis submitted against the head of another state body.

“I provided a detailed account to the board in writing, citing seven or eight specific charges. They were unable to take the action that was necessary, and therefore, he had to go,” Ivey remarked to the press.

In response, Davis’ attorney has raised concerns about the governor’s authority to dismiss him, arguing that he is appointed by the board rather than the governor. The legal team is currently contemplating a potential lawsuit.

In a different vein, Ivey expressed no intention of replacing Leigh Gwathney, who serves as chairwoman of the three-member Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Gwathney had encountered criticism during her recent appearance before the Legislative Prison Committee, where she faced questions from legislators about the parole system. Lawmakers expressed frustration over the lack of information they had requested earlier this year.

Having appointed Gwathney in 2019, her term is set to conclude next year. When asked whether she might consider reappointing Gwathney, Ivey responded, “I hadn’t been focused on replacing her at all.” The selection of the chair is contingent upon recommendations made by the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, and the leaders of the Alabama Senate and House.

Furthermore, Ivey was queried about her satisfaction with Gwathney’s performance. “I’m not sure I know all the answers to your questions about that,” Ivey conceded. “But to my knowledge, we’re set to have a strong parole board moving forward.”

In light of recent years, Alabama’s parole statistics have dramatically declined. The proportion of inmates granted parole after hearings dropped from 53% in 2018 to an unprecedented low of 8% last year before climbing back to roughly 20% this year.