Roger H. Bedford Jr.
Member of the Alabama Senate
In office
November 9, 1994  December 1, 2014
Preceded byGeorge Bolling
Succeeded byLarry Stutts
Constituency6th district
In office
November 3, 1982  November 3, 1990
Preceded byCharlie Britnell
Succeeded byGeorge Bolling
Constituency2nd district (1982–1984)
6th district (1984–1990)
Personal details
Born
Roger Hugh Bedford Jr.

(1956-07-02)July 2, 1956
DiedOctober 10, 2023(2023-10-10) (aged 67)
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMaudie Darby
Children1
EducationUniversity of Alabama (BS)
Samford University (JD)
ProfessionAttorney

Roger Hugh Bedford Jr. (July 2, 1956 – October 10, 2023) was an American lawyer and politician from Alabama. He was a Democratic member of the Alabama Senate, where he represented the 6th District from 1994–2014. He previously served from 1982 to 1990.

Career

Bedford received his education at the University of Alabama, and his J.D. degree from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University. He was a Rotarian, and belonged to the Alabama State Bar, the Cattlemen's Association, the National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, American Cancer Society, Executive member of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Greater Alabama Council.

In 1996 Bedford was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, but was defeated by Republican Jeff Sessions. On April 2, 2009, multiple sources reported Senator Bedford had received encouragement to run for the Democratic nomination for Alabama governor in 2010. He did not enter the race. Later that month, on April 30, 2009, Bedford inserted a "poison pill" into a Senate bill that would have made it easier for U.S. soldiers serving overseas to vote, thereby causing it to fail. The poison pill "would prohibit a federal candidate or officeholder from transferring funds to a state campaign for office" and was widely seen as an attempt at preventing Artur Davis from transferring funds from his Congressional campaign to his state race for governor.[1]

Personal life and death

Bedford was married to the former Maudie Darby from Florence, Alabama, and they were the parents of one child.

Bedford died from cancer at his home in Tuscaloosa, on October 10, 2023, at the age of 67.[2][3]

References

  1. Chandler, Kim (May 16, 2009). "Military voting bill dies on final night of session; Chapman says politics killed it". The Birmingham News.
  2. Zeigler, Jim (October 11, 2023). "Long-time State Senate power Roger Bedford dies at 67". 1819 News. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  3. Clark, Georgia (October 11, 2023). "Former Alabama State Senator passes away". WAAY-TV. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
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