New Alabama Speaker of the House Named

House members have named Republican Rep. Mac McCutcheon of Capshaw as the new speaker of the house.

Representatives on Monday elected McCutcheon to the powerful post with 68 votes.

McCutcheon, after his election, promised to be fair to House members and said the days of the “imperial speakership are over.”

McCutcheon replaces former House Speaker Mike Hubbard. Hubbard was removed from office after being convicted on ethics charges.

McCutcheon is a former police officer and has recently served as the chairman of the Rules Committee.

House Republicans, who hold a lopsided majority in the House, voted for McCutcheon after agreeing on McCutcheon as their nominee. Democrats voted for Rep. John Knight of Montgomery.

The selection of a new speaker came on the first day of a special session focused on a state lottery and Medicaid funding.