Scott Beason
Encyclopedia
Scott Beason is a Republican
member of the Alabama Senate
, representing the 17th District since 2006. Previously he was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives
from 1998 through 2006.
. In 1991, he received a degree in Geology from the University of Alabama
. He was a geologist from 1993 to 1997. He currently owns Custom Renovators and Old South Construction.
with 53% of the vote. In won the general election with 99% of the vote. In won re-election in 2002 in the newly redistricted 51st district. In 2006, he sought a rematch of the 1994 Senate District 17 against incumbent State Senator Jack Biddle. He defeated him receiving 59% of the vote. He won the general election in 2006 and won re-election in 2010.
Speaking on illegal immigration at a 2011 Cullman County Republican fundraiser, Senator Beason urged Republicans to "do what has to be done" and "empty the clip" of their guns into illegal immigrants. Beason urged fellow Republicans to "solve the problem" before immigrants could have children because "[when immigrant] children grow up and get the chance to vote, they vote for Democrats.” This remark brought criticism towards Beason as the comments were made in the wake of the shooting
of United States U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords
outside of Tucson, Arizona a month earlier. Shortly after the comment was published his office was flooded with angry calls denouncing the remark. He later apologized stating, "he was not urging violence against immigrants, but using an analogy."
Many speculate that Beason may challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Spencer Bachus
in a 2012 primary for Alabama's 6th congressional district
. Others, closer to him, speculate he may run for Governor in 2014 or 2018.
During the FBI's investigation of the case, Beason wore a wire to record alleged vote-buying attempts. In one of his recordings, Beason remarked that black casino-goers were "aborigines."
. He is a member of the Jefferson County
Republican Executive Committee and the Alabama Republican Executive Committee in addition to the Senate Committees that he serves.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
member of the Alabama Senate
Alabama Senate
The Alabama State Senate is the upper house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The body is composed of 35 members representing an equal amount of districts across the state, with each district containing at least 127,140 citizens...
, representing the 17th District since 2006. Previously he was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives
Alabama House of Representatives
The Alabama House of Representatives is the lower house of the Alabama Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Alabama. The House is composed of 105 members representing an equal amount of districts, with each constituency containing at least 42,380 citizens. There are no term...
from 1998 through 2006.
Early life
In 1969, he was born in Hartselle, AlabamaHartselle, Alabama
Hartselle is the second largest city in Morgan County, Alabama, United States, about south of Decatur, and is included in the Decatur Metropolitan Area, and the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area. As of the 2006 census estimates, the population of the city is 13,479. Hartselle was...
. In 1991, he received a degree in Geology from the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
. He was a geologist from 1993 to 1997. He currently owns Custom Renovators and Old South Construction.
Political career
In 1994, he ran for Alabama's State Senate District 17 as a Republican. He lost in the primary to State Representative Jack Biddle. In 1998, won the primary runoff in Alabama's House District 51 against State Representative Jim TownsendJim Townsend
Jim Townsend is an Irish Labour Party politician and former senator.Townsend stood for the Labour Party in Carlow–Kilkenny at the Irish general election, 1981, but he took only 2% of the first preference votes, and was not elected. In 1991, he was elected to Carlow County Council, representing...
with 53% of the vote. In won the general election with 99% of the vote. In won re-election in 2002 in the newly redistricted 51st district. In 2006, he sought a rematch of the 1994 Senate District 17 against incumbent State Senator Jack Biddle. He defeated him receiving 59% of the vote. He won the general election in 2006 and won re-election in 2010.
Speaking on illegal immigration at a 2011 Cullman County Republican fundraiser, Senator Beason urged Republicans to "do what has to be done" and "empty the clip" of their guns into illegal immigrants. Beason urged fellow Republicans to "solve the problem" before immigrants could have children because "[when immigrant] children grow up and get the chance to vote, they vote for Democrats.” This remark brought criticism towards Beason as the comments were made in the wake of the shooting
2011 Tucson shooting
On January 8, 2011, a mass shooting occurred near Tucson, Arizona. Nineteen people were shot, six of them fatally, with one other person injured at the scene during an open meeting that U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was holding with members of her constituency in a Casas Adobes Safeway...
of United States U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords
Gabrielle Giffords
Gabrielle Dee "Gabby" Giffords is an American politician. A Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, she has represented since 2007. She is the third woman in Arizona's history to be elected to the U.S. Congress...
outside of Tucson, Arizona a month earlier. Shortly after the comment was published his office was flooded with angry calls denouncing the remark. He later apologized stating, "he was not urging violence against immigrants, but using an analogy."
Many speculate that Beason may challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Spencer Bachus
Spencer Bachus
Spencer Thomas Bachus III is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Republican Party and the senior member of the Alabama U. S. House delegation...
in a 2012 primary for Alabama's 6th congressional district
Alabama's 6th congressional district
Alabama's 6th congressional district is a U.S. congressional district in Alabama, which elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. It encompasses the counties of Chilton, Bibb and Shelby. It also includes parts of St. Clair County, Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, and Coosa counties...
. Others, closer to him, speculate he may run for Governor in 2014 or 2018.
Role in 2011 Bingo Trial
Beason was a chief prosecution witness in the 2011 trial of nine individuals for allegedly attempting to exchange votes for campaign contributions.During the FBI's investigation of the case, Beason wore a wire to record alleged vote-buying attempts. In one of his recordings, Beason remarked that black casino-goers were "aborigines."
Personal life
The Senator and his wife Lori, and their three children, Keller, Merritt and McCalan are members of Gardendale First Baptist ChurchGardendale First Baptist Church
Gardendale First Baptist Church is a Southern Baptist megachurch in Gardendale, Alabama. The church's senior pastor is Dr...
. He is a member of the Jefferson County
Jefferson County, Alabama
Jefferson County is the most populous county in the U.S. state of Alabama, with its county seat being located in Birmingham.As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Jefferson County was 658,466...
Republican Executive Committee and the Alabama Republican Executive Committee in addition to the Senate Committees that he serves.
External links
- Alabama State Legislature – Senator Scott Beason official government website
- Project Vote Smart – Senator Scott Beason (AL) profile
- Follow the Money – Scott Beason