John Merrill (politician)
| John Merrill | |
|---|---|
| 53rd Secretary of State of Alabama | |
| Assumed office January 19, 2015 |
|
| Governor | Robert Bentley |
| Preceded by | James Bennett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 12, 1963 Wedowee, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Cindy |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa |
John Harold Merrill (born November 12, 1963) is an American politician from the state of Alabama and serves as that state's Secretary of State. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Early life
Merrill was born in Wedowee, Alabama, and raised in Heflin, Alabama. His father served as the Cleburn County Circuit Clerk and a Probate Judge. He graduated from Cleburne County High School and the University of Alabama. Merrill interned for the United States Congress from May to July 1983, where he met U.S. Representative William Flynt Nichols, who became his mentor. Merrill interned for U.S. Senator Howell Heflin in 1984. He served as the President of the University of Alabama's Student Government Association from 1986 to 1987.[1]
Career
Merrill served as the spokesperson for the Tuscaloosa County School District, and as a Business Development Officer for the First Federal Bank in Tuscaloosa.[1] He was elected to represent the 62nd district in the Alabama House of Representatives in the 2010 elections.[2] He served in the Alabama House for a single term from 2010 through 2014.
Merrill announced in January 2013 that he would run for Secretary of State of Alabama in the 2014 elections.[2] In the Republican Party primary election in June 2014, Merrill finished in first, advancing to a runoff election in July,[3] which he won.[4] In the general election on November 3, 2014, he defeated Lula Albert-Kaigler, the Democratic Party nominee with more than 60% of the vote.[5] He succeeded James R. Bennett who had been appointed to the office to fill out the remainder of the term of the previous incumbent Beth Chapman.
Personal life
Merrill is a descendant of Hugh Davis Merrill, the former Lieutenant Governor of Alabama and Speaker of the Alabama House, Hugh Davis Merrill, Jr., who also served in the Alabama House, and Pelham Jones Merrill, who served in the Alabama House and fought in World War II.[1]
Merrill has admitted to an inappropriate sexual relationship with a woman in 2010 and claims to have been the subject of a political smear because of his actions.[6]
Merrill and his wife, Cindy (née Benford), have two children.[1]
References
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External links
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Secretary of State of Alabama 2015–present |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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Current statewide political officials of Alabama
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