Last Ala. Dem elected statewide
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Lucy Baxley, Alabama’s first female lieutenant governor and its last Democrat elected to statewide office, died Friday. She was 78.
A statement released by Ms. Baxley’s family said the lifelong Alabama resident died at her home. A cause of death wasn’t released, but Ms. Baxley had suffered a major stroke years before.
Ms. Baxley was elected lieutenant governor and presided over the Senate during a four- year term that began in 2003. She was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2006 but lost to Republican Bob Riley.
Ms. Baxley served as state treasurer before becoming lieutenant governor, and she was elected president of the Alabama Public Service Commission in 2008 despite having suffering the stroke after her gubernatorial bid.
Known for her campaign slogan “I Love Lucy,” Ms. Baxley is survived by her husband Jim Smith; two children, Louis Baxley and Becky Nichols; and former husband Bill Baxley, himself a one- time lieutenant governor.