Lucy Baxley: Biography

Lucy Baxley grew up on a farm and attended public schools in Houston County, Alabama. Her faith and her simple rural upbringing shaped the values she maintains today.

Lucy first entered public service as an employee in city government. From that beginning, she went on to hold county government jobs in the offices of the probate judge and the district attorney’s office.

Her entry into public service at the state level began with a six-year tenure as executive assistant to the attorney general of the State of Alabama. From there, Lucy went on to an administrative position in the transportation department.

In Birmingham, Lucy built a successful career in real estate. In 1994, when her youngest child was going off to college, Lucy chose to follow her passion for public service by making her first run for public office. She was successful in her campaign for Treasurer of the State of Alabama. In 1998, she was re-elected for a second term by an overwhelming majority.

While State Treasurer, Lucy got legislation passed moving the Unclaimed Property Program to her office by which she was able to refund over $30 million to taxpayers in this state.

Lucy expanded enrollment in the Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Program and solidified its financial condition.

She secured funding to bring the technology so needed in that department’s handling of $2 billion in taxpayers’ money.

Lucy participated and maintained records in bond issues totaling hundreds of millions of the state’s dollars. She participated in investment decisions of millions of dollars under the control of various state agencies.

She created a collateral pool which secures all public funds in any bank in Alabama. Her years of handling these responsibilities was never marked by any question of her leadership, integrity or honesty.

In 2002, Lucy ran for the office of Lieutenant Governor and her victory was the first time a woman had been elected to that position. As Lieutenant Governor, Lucy sits on more than 30 state boards and authorities, ensuring her involvement in all aspects of government. Although her position is an office of the executive branch of the government, her number one duty is presiding officer of the Alabama Senate.

Lucy quickly established herself as a no-nonsense presiding officer who required punctuality from Senate members. She has worked diligently to improve the decorum of that chamber.

Lucy has entered the 2006 campaign for the Governor of Alabama with complete confidence that she has the knowledge of how state government works and the love of this state which qualifies her for the office she seeks.

While achieving success in her business career, Lucy raised two children. She has two grandchildren. She is married to Jim Smith. They reside in Montgomery and are members of Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church.

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Issues

Public service to Lucy Baxley is a sacred trust. During two terms as state Treasurer, she was the watchdog over billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money and not a penny went missing or was misappropriated. As Lieutenant Governor, she has brought leadership and direction to the state Senate. In each office, the honesty and integrity of her administration has never been questioned.

Education must head the list of priorities in Alabama’s planning for the future. The Baxley Education Plan will strengthen curriculum, instill discipline in the classroom, bolster teacher recruitment, and foster a community covenant to support education. With improved education comes improved economic opportunity. While Alabama has achieved success in attracting major foreign corporations, Lucy Baxley believes we must do more to help small businesses, and can do so with the creation of a cabinet-level position for Small Business Development.

As Governor, Lucy Baxley will root out waste in state spending and put a stop to those who think the taxpayers’ money is there to enrich them, their friends or their families. Recent scandals in Washington and their apparent ties to the Riley Administration highlight the need for tougher ethics laws regarding lobbyists and government officials. Laws dramatically limiting lobbyist spending and granting full subpoena power to the state Ethics Commission are two priority planks of the Baxley Ethics Initiative.

Lucy Baxley has the experience, in state government and in life, to understand what it takes to make a difference. As a daughter of the earth in rural southeast Alabama, as a hard-working single mother and as a businesswoman, Lucy Baxley knows personally the stakes and struggles of everyday life and that, as Governor, she can do better than what we have seen from that office. With the determination that comes from hard work, and an abiding faith in God, Lucy Baxley offers Alabama a Campaign of Hope and a Commitment to Honesty.

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Lucy Baxley’s Web site