Members of the Alabama Legislature will elect a new House speaker in February, possibly sooner if Governor Bentley calls a special session.
Contenders for the job are beginning to emerge after former House Speaker Mike Hubbard was removed from office after being convicted on twelve ethics charges.
House Speaker Pro Tem Victor Gaston has assumed Hubbard's duties in the mean time. He says he will decide in the coming days whether to seek the job permanently. House Ways and Means General Fund Chairman Steve Clouse says he will seek the post, but only if Gaston decides not to run.
Other possible challengers include Rules Chairman Mac McCutcheon and House Judiciary Chairman Mike Jones, Representative Phil Williams of Huntsville and Representative Lynn Greer of Rogersville.
