Robert J. Bentley
Robert Julian Bentley (b. February 3, 1943, in Columbiana, Alabama) was the 53rd Governor of Alabama. Bentley, a Republican, took the oath of office on January 17, 2011. He resigned on April 10, 2017, in the wake of an ethics investigation that led to impeachment hearings. He was succeeded by Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey (R).[1]
Referred to as the "unexpected governor," Bentley, a retired dermatologist, has said, "Nobody but the Lord and my oldest granddaughter" expected the win. Bentley came in second to Bradley Byrne in the 2010 Republican gubernatorial primary, but went on to defeat him in the runoff.[2] He won the general election on November 2, 2010, overtaking then-Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Ron Sparks (D) by 17 points. Two days after he was inaugurated, Bentley stirred up controversy by telling a Baptist church audience that only those who had accepted Jesus Christ as their savior were his brothers and sisters. Bentley apologized for the remarks, saying he would be a "governor of all the people."[3]
During his campaign, Bentley promised not to accept a salary as governor until the state reached full employment, which he defined as 5.2 percent unemployment. As of January 2015, he had not accepted a salary.[4]
Bentley was previously a Republican member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing the 63rd District, Tuscaloosa County. He was first elected in 2002 and served until 2010 when he chose not to seek re-election but the governorship instead.[5]
An analysis of Republican governors by Nate Silver of the New York Times in April 2013 ranked Bentley as the 16th most conservative governor in the country.[6]
Biography
Born and raised in Columbiana, Alabama, Bentley was active in debate during school and served as student body president in high school. He went on to study chemistry and biology at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa before enrolling in The University of Alabama School of Medicine. Bentley completed his residency at Birmingham's Carraway United Methodist Hospital.[5]
In 1969, he joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Pope AFB near Fayetteville, North Carolina. Upon completion of military service in 1975, Bentley completed a second residency in dermatology before founding his own practice, Alabama Dermatology Associates, in Tuscaloosa.[4]
He has been a member of the Academy of Dermatology, American Legion, Family Counseling Advisory Board, Vietnam Veterans of America, Youth for Christ Advisory Board, Alabama State Medical Association, Alabama Wildlife Federation, and a deacon/Sunday school teacher at the First Baptist Church.[5]
Education
- The University of Alabama School of Medicine: M.D., 1968
- The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa: B.S., 1964
- Shelby County High School, 1960
Presidential preference
2016 presidential endorsement
✓ Bentley endorsed John Kasich for the Republican primary in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[7]
- See also: Endorsements for John Kasich
- On October 8, 2016, after The Washington Post released a 2005 video of Trump making comments about women that the Post described as "extremely lewd," Bentley announced he would not vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in the 2016 general election.[8][9]
- See also: Republican reactions to 2005 Trump tape
Political career
Governor of Alabama (2011-2017)
Bentley served as Governor of Alabama from January 17, 2011, to his resignation on April 10, 2017. He resigned in the wake of an ethics investigation that led to impeachment hearings. He was succeeded by Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey (R).[10]
To learn about Bentley's appointments to state courts, click here for a list of appointed judges.
Alleged affair and misuse of state funds
- Main article: Robert Bentley ethics investigation, 2016
On September 2, 2015, Rep. Allen Farley (R-McCalla) called on Attorney General Luther Strange's (R) office to look into allegations that Bentley used state funds to cover up activities related to his divorce and an alleged affair. The alleged improper spending included overtime paid to state troopers on the governor's security detail and use of state aircraft for non-official purposes. Bentley denied misusing state property and called the divorce a private matter.[11][12] The attorney general's office acknowledged receipt of the letter, but declined to comment on the allegations.[13]
Alabama First Lady Dianne Bentley filed for divorce from her husband of 50 years on August 28, 2015.[12]
On March 22, 2016, another allegation of the affair was made by a former head of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Spencer Collier. Collier claimed that Bentley had been involved with a senior political adviser named Rebekah Mason and that he may have misused state funds in order to cover up the affair. Bentley fired Collier from his post that same day for allegedly misusing ALEA funds; Collier claimed his dismissal was retaliation for refusing to cover up the affair.[14][15]
Recordings of the governor were published on March 23, 2016, which included comments of a sexual nature made to Mason on a telephone call in 2014. In a press conference on March 24, Bentley did not disavow the recordings but denied ever having a physical relationship with Mason. He apologized to the people of Alabama for the comments on the recording, but stated: "I have never done anything illegal [as governor]. I have never asked any member of my staff or any cabinet member to lie." He further added: "[a]t no time have I ever used the resources of my office to facilitate a relationship of any type."[16]
In the same press conference, Mason did not deny the allegations of an affair. Instead, she accused Collier of gender bias:
| “ | There is no way that man [Collier] would have said what he did… about another man. He only said what he said about my professional abilities because I am a woman. His comments were clear, demonstrated gender bias... As a wife and working mother, I commute four hours a day to serve on a team alongside some of the most dedicated and talented people in the state, who are committed to helping our people. Unfortunately, there are still some people who are set on hindering the ability of women to work in the political arena.[17][18] | ” |
On March 25, 2016, Alabama State Auditor Jim Zeigler (R) filed a report asking the Alabama Ethics Commission to investigate the circumstances of the alleged affair. In his report, Zeigler expressed concern that Mason had been paid from a private organization which had been set up by Bentley's aides called the Alabama Council for Excellent Government (ACEGOV), rather than through public funds. Because Mason was a public employee, Zeigler argued that this arrangement was a violation of the Ethics Act in Alabama. Zeigler called for ACEGOV to disclose its financial information and for Mason to formally register as a lobbyist.[19] Mason resigned from her post on March 30, 2016.[20]
Response to the 2014 illegal immigration surge
- See also: 2014 illegal immigration surge
On July 22, 2014, the Republican governors of Alabama, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wisconsin sent a letter to President Obama expressing concerns about how the administration was handling the increase in unaccompanied children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border between 2013 and 2014.[21] The governors argued that a failure to return the children to their home countries would “send a message that will encourage a much larger movement towards our southern border. We fear that this will put a significant number of children at risk of abuse and neglect on their journey to the United States.”[22]
Economic Development and Commerce Committee
In October 2013, Bentley was appointed Chair of the Economic Development and Commerce Committee in the National Governors Association by NGA Chair Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and NGA Vice Chair Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.[23]
Affordable Care Act
As of April 2013, Alabama was one of six states that said they would not help to enforce provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act. In March 2013, Bentley wrote a letter to federal officials saying Washington, not state regulators, should be responsible for making sure policies sold in Alabama comply with the new requirements of the ACA. The governor also rejected other parts of the law, including setting up a state-run health insurance exchange and expanding Medicaid.[24]
Job creation ranking
A June 2013 analysis by The Business Journals ranked 45 governors based on the annual private sector growth rate in all 50 states using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bentley was ranked number 36 (tie). The five governors omitted from the analysis all assumed office in 2013.[25][26]
Presidential preference
2012
Bentley voted for Rick Santorum in the 2012 Republican primary but insisted it was not an endorsement.[27]
Stance on Syrian refugee resettlement
- Main article: U.S. governors and their responses to Syrian refugees
Following the Paris terrorist attacks on November 13, 2015, in which members of the Islamic State (ISIS) killed at least 129 people and wounded more than 350, reports surfaced showing that one of the terrorists responsible for the attacks in Paris may have come to France posing as a Syrian refugee.[28] Many governors issued statements of support or opposition to President Obama’s plan to allow 10,000 new Syrian refugees into the United States. Bentley had strong opposition to the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the state of Alabama. He said:
| “ | I will oppose any attempt to relocate Syrian refugees to Alabama through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. As your Governor, I will not stand complicit to a policy that places the citizens of Alabama in harm’s way. ... I will not place Alabamians at even the slightest, possible risk of an attack on our people.[18] | ” |
| —Gov. Robert J. Bentley[29] | ||
Medical marijuana
On May 5, 2016, Bentley signed into law legislation decriminalizing the possession of medical marijuana oil, or cannabidiol. The bill stipulated that the oil must have been produced in another state and can contain no more than 3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound found in marijuana. The legislation, entitled Leni's Law, was introduced following a 2014 study by the University of Alabama at Birmingham that found significant seizure reduction in epileptic patients when using cannabidiol.
"As a physician, I believe it is extremely important to give patients with a chronic or debilitating disease the option to consider every possible option for treatment," Bentley commented on the legislation. Opponents of the law raised concerns about the effect of THC on childhood development and asserted that the research conducted was not conclusive enough for such legislation.[30]
Alabama House of Representatives (2003-2010)
Committee assignments
Bentley was formerly a member of the following committees:
- Agriculture and Forestry Committee, Alabama House of Representatives
- Education Appropriations Committee, Alabama House of Representatives
- Internal Affairs Committee, Alabama House of Representatives (Vice Chair)
- Subcommittee on Allocations (Ranking Minority Member)
- Subcommittee on Hunting and Fishing (Ranking Minority Member)
- Tuscaloosa County Legislation Committee, Alabama House of Representatives
Issues
Bentley did not provide answers to the Alabama State Legislative Election 2006 National Political Awareness Test. The test informs voters how a candidate would vote on the issues if elected.[31]
Elections
2014
- See also: Alabama Gubernatorial election, 2014
Bentley ran for re-election as governor in 2014. He announced his bid for a second term in April 2013. Bentley overtook two challengers for the Republican nomination in the June 3 primary election.[32]The general election took place on November 4, 2014.
Results
Primary election
| Governor of Alabama Republican Primary, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
 Robert Bentley Incumbent |
89.3% | 388,247 | ||
| Stacy George | 5.8% | 25,134 | ||
| Bob Starkey | 4.9% | 21,144 | ||
| Total Votes | 434,525 | |||
| Election results via Alabama Secretary of State. | ||||
General election
| Governor of Alabama, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Robert Bentley Incumbent |
63.6% | 750,231 | |
| Democrat | Parker Griffith | 36.2% | 427,787 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.2% | 2,395 | |
| Total Votes | 1,180,413 | |||
| Election results via Alabama Secretary of State | ||||
2010
Bentley was eligible for re-election to the Alabama House but chose to run for Governor of Alabama instead. He came in second in the primary to Bradley Byrne, forcing a runoff on July 13. Bentley won 56.1 percent of the vote, effectively defeating Byrne. He faced Democrat Ron Sparks in the November 2, 2010 general election, winning by 17 points.[33]
- 2010 general election
| Governor of Alabama, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Robert J. Bentley |
57.6% | 860,472 | |
| Democratic | Ron Sparks | 41.9% | 625,710 | |
| Write-in | Write-in | 0.5% | 8,091 | |
| Total Votes | 1,494,273 | |||
- 2010 Republican Primary Runoff Election
On July 13, 2010, the Associated Press reported that Robert Bentley had defeated Bradley Byrne for the Republican nomination for governor. Turnout was impressive - especially in the context of a single party runoff. Just under half a million Alabamans turned out to have a say in the GOP's nominee.[34]
| Governor of Alabama, Primary Runoff, 2010 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Robert J. Bentley |
56.1% | 260,887 |
| Bradley Byrne | 43.9% | 204,394 |
| Total Votes | 465,281 | |
2006
On November 7, 2006, Bentley was re-elected to the 63rd District Seat in the Alabama House of Representatives, running uncontested in the general election.[35]
Bentley raised $19,350 for his campaign.[36]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Bentley and his ex-wife, Dianne, divorced in 2015. They have four sons - Paul, John Mark, Luke, Matthew - and seven granddaughters.[5][4][37]
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Robert Bentley Governor Alabama. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
| Alabama | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
- Social media:
- Biographies:
- Executive actions:
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
Footnotes
- ↑ al.com, "Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley resigns amid sex scandal," April 10, 2017
- ↑ AL.com, "Robert Bentley, the state's unexpected governor, confident as he looks ahead," February 17, 2013
- ↑ CNN, "Alabama governor touches off controversy with Christian Commons," January 18, 2011
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Office of the Governor, "Governor Robert Bentley," accessed October 4, 2012
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Project Vote Smart - Rep. Bentley
- ↑ New York Times, "In State Governments, Signs of a Healthier G.O.P.," April 16, 2013
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Kasich to pick up major endorsement from Alabama governor," August 17, 2015
- ↑ Twitter, "Politics1.com," October 8, 2016
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Trump recorded having extremely lewd conversation about women in 2005," October 8, 2016
- ↑ al.com, "Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley resigns amid sex scandal," April 10, 2017
- ↑ WBRC.com, "Gov. Bentley says divorce is private matter, denies misuse of state property," September 9, 2015
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 AL.com, "Rep. Ed Henry: I support AG investigation into Gov. Bentley," September 8, 2015
- ↑ AL.com, "GOP state executive member calls for Gov. Bentley to resign: 'It's a disgrace'," September 2, 2015
- ↑ Montgomery Advertiser, "Collier accuses Bentley of affair, misuse of state resources," accessed March 25, 2016
- ↑ AL.com, "Gov. Robert Bentley had affair, says fired Alabama top cop," March 22, 2016
- ↑ CNN, "Alabama governor denies sexual affair despite explicit recordings," accessed March 25, 2016
- ↑ WKRG, "Here’s what Rebekah Mason said about scandalous allegations," accessed March 25, 2016
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Montgomery Advertiser, "State Auditor sends report on Bentley to Ethics Commission," accessed March 26, 2016
- ↑ WPTZ Burlington, "Aide to Alabama governor resigns amid sex scandal," March 30, 2016
- ↑ United States Customs and Border Protection, "DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson Visits the Rio Grande Valley," December 2, 2014
- ↑ Utah Governor Gary Herbert, "Gov. Herbert discusses undocumented unaccompanied minors on U.S. border," accessed July 10, 2018
- ↑ NGA News Release NGA Chooses New Committee Leadership, E-mail communication to Kristen Mathews October 23, 2013
- ↑ Insurance Journal, "Alabama Governor Says State Will Not Enforce Federal Health Law’s Protections," April 8, 2013
- ↑ The Business Journals, "Governors and jobs: How governors rank for job creation in their states," June 27, 2013
- ↑ The Business Journals, "How state governors rank on their job-growth record," June 27, 2013
- ↑ CNN, "Alabama governor votes for Santorum," March 13, 2012
- ↑ Washington Post, "Were Syrian refugees involved in the Paris attacks? What we know and don’t know," November 17, 2015
- ↑ Office of Alabama Governor, "Governor Bentley Refuses Syrian Refugees Relocating to Alabama," accessed November 17, 2015
- ↑ The Gadsdey Times, "Bentley signs legislation allowing medical marijuana oil," May 4, 2016
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Bentley Issue Positions
- ↑ The Republic, "Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley seeking second term," April 9, 2013
- ↑ Alabama Secretary of State, "Canvass of Results, General Election, November 2, 2010," November 22, 2010
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Alabama Governor Primary," accessed October 4, 2012
- ↑ Alabama Secretary of State, "Official 2006 election results," accessed April 15, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Alabama House spending, 2006," November 4, 2006
- ↑ Alabama Today, "Robert, Dianne Bentley divorce final: records show how couple will divvy up assets, alimony, Alabama football tickets," September 30, 2015
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bob Riley (R) |
Governor of Alabama 2011-April 2017 |
Succeeded by Kay Ivey (R) |
| Preceded by ' |
Alabama House of Representatives District 63 2002–2010 |
Succeeded by Bill Poole (R) |
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State of Alabama Montgomery (capital) |
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