Summary
Jim McClendon (born January 10, 1943)[1] is an American optometrist and politician. A Republican, he has served as a member of the Alabama State Senate from the 11th District since November 5, 2014 and was previously a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, where he represented the 50th District from 2002 to 2014.
Jim McClendon | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Alabama Senate from the 11th district | |
| In office November 5, 2014 – November 9, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Jerry Fielding |
| Succeeded by | Lance Bell |
| Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 50th district | |
| In office 2002 – November 5, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Marilyn Quarles |
| Succeeded by | Jim Hill |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 10, 1943 Mobile, Alabama |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Ellen |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Birmingham–Southern College University of Houston |
| Profession | Optometrist |
Early life and education edit
McClendon was born in Mobile, studied as an undergraduate at Birmingham Southern College,[2] and earned a bachelor's degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Houston.[1] He served in the United States Navy Medical Service Corps in Vietnam from 1968 to 1971.[1][2]
Career edit
After his military service, McClendon taught clinical optometry at the University of Alabama, Birmingham and then entered private practice. He has been president of the Alabama Optometric Association.[2]
Political career edit
In November 2002 McClendon defeated Democrat Marilyn Quarles in the 50th District for election to the Alabama House of Representatives;[3] he represented the district for three terms, until 2014.[4] In November 2014 he was elected to represent the 11th District in the State Senate,[5] and has held that position since January 2015; he was re-elected in 2018.[6]
In 2016 and 2019, he put forward a state lottery, a perennial legislative proposal that would require an amendment to the state constitution.[7][8]
In May 2019, he voted for the Human Life Protection Act, which makes abortion a crime in the state at any stage in a pregnancy, with no exemptions for rape or incest.[9] Later that month, McClendon said on the Matt and Aunie morning radio show that cancer patients can just buy marijuana on the street if they need it.[10]
Personal life edit
McClendon is married and lives on a farm in St. Clair Springs.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Sen. Jim McClendon (R-AL 11th District)". The Alabama Legislature. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Sen. Jim McClendon (R): 11th District (St. Clair, Talladega, & Shelby Co.)". Shelby County, Alabama: Legislative Delegation Office. Archived from the original on September 4, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ^ "Curry, Hill win". Shelby County Reporter. November 5, 2002.
- ^ Manning, Elizabeth (June 3, 2014). "McClendon ousts Fielding in Senate District 11". The Anniston Star. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
- ^ McCarty, Sarah (November 4, 2014). "Republican Jim McClendon wins Alabama Senate District 11 seat". AL.com. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
- ^ "Election Results: Alabama General Election". WBRC. November 6, 2018.
- ^ "Alabama senator announces lottery plan". AL.com. March 19, 2019.
- ^ Lyman, Brian (April 23, 2019). "Alabama Senate committee narrowly approves lottery bill". Montgomery Advertiser.
- ^ Durkin, Erin; Benwell, Max (15 May 2019). "These 25 white men – all Republicans – just voted to ban abortion in Alabama". The Guardian.
- ^ Wilson, Brent (May 20, 2019). "AL Sen. Jim McClendon: Cancer Patients Can Just Get Marijuana On The Streets If They Need It". Bamapolitics.com.