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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — State Sen. Hinton Mitchem — a veteran of more than 30 years in the Legislature — said Monday that he will not seek re-election this year.
The Union Grove Democrat says he wants to slow down, do some traveling, play golf and spend a lot more time with his family.
The 71-year-old served in the Alabama House of Representatives in 1974-78 and the Senate in 1978-86. He lost a bid for lieutenant governor in 1986 but returned to the Senate in a special election in 1987 and has served there since.
Senators elected him Senate president pro-tem, making him the top-ranking senator, in January 2007, and Mitchem held the post until February 2009.
Mitchem is married to the former Judy Corley of Cullman. He was owner of a tractor dealership in Albertville for many years, selling it in 2005.
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