Hammett, Holley make ‘most influential’ list
Published 12:05 am Friday, May 8, 2015
A Covington County native son, and its longtime state senator, will both be recognized as two of Alabama’s most powerful and influential players in politics and business.
Both former Speaker Seth Hammett and current Sen. Jimmy Holley are on the 2015 Yellowhammer Power & Influence 50, an annual list. Yellowhammer publishes a conservative state news website and e- newsletter.
Hammet spent 32 years in the Alabama House of Representatives, including 12 as Speaker of the House. At present, he serves as Gov. Robert Bentley’s chief of staff, and Yellowhammer identified him “among the most influential voices in the governor’s inner circle.”
Holley is currently serving his fifth term in the Alabama Senate, after serving five terms in the Alabama House. He is an institution in southeast Alabama.
“Outside of the Pro Tem and a couple of particularly influential committee chairmen, senators theoretically hold the same amount of power and influence,” Yellowhammer wrote. “Holley has just been willing to use his more often and in ways that other senators don’t. That separates him from the parity. You’ll often hear, ‘If Holley’s not for your bill, it’s not going to pass.’ ”
Both will be recognized during Yellowhammer’s inaugural Power of Service reception on Fri., May 29, at the Renaissance Ross Bridge in Birmingham.