MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Senate inaugurated its new leadership on the opening day of the 2025 legislative session, marking a significant transition.
On this occasion, Senator Garlan Gudger from Cullman, Alabama, was unanimously elected to serve as the Senate president pro tempore with a vote tally of 33-0.

In his inaugural address, Gudger indicated that the Senate is poised to adopt immigration policies that reflect those at the federal level. He mentioned that proposed legislation would focus on undocumented immigrants who either have outstanding arrest warrants or are currently facing criminal charges.
“We need to combat the surge of illegal immigration that undermines our borders, impacts our cities adversely, and depletes our resources,” Gudger asserted.

Additionally, he expressed a commitment to advancing legislation aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for “every child in every Zip code” as well as addressing issues of crime.
The previous Senate Pro Tempore, Greg Reed, has resigned from his post to take on new responsibilities as the first secretary of the Alabama Department of Workforce, which is set to replace the Department of Labor. This new agency’s goal is to target improvements in Alabama’s labor force participation rate.

Gudger, who has been a member of the Senate since his election in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022, has a prior history of public service, having spent 14 years on the Cullman City Council.
In his new capacity as Senate leader, Gudger emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating that he aims to work constructively with the Senate’s Democratic minority.
“I recognize that a good idea holds value regardless of whether it is presented by someone with a D or an R beside their name,” Gudger remarked, underscoring his commitment to bipartisan cooperation.