Alabama lawmaker retiring after 42 years

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) — One of the longest serving members of the Alabama State Legislature says he will retire at the end of the next session.

Democratic Rep. James Buskey has served since winning a state House seat in Mobile in 1976. He currently serves as the ranking minority member on several committees.

Rep. Craig Ford, a Gadsden Democrat and former House Minority Leader, tells WKRG-TV , Buskey’s pending retirement will be a huge loss for the Legislature. Rep. Napoleon Bracy, a Democrat from Prichard, says Buskey has been a mentor to many and knows how to bring people from all sides together.

Buskey is currently the second-longest serving legislator in the House behind Rep. Alvin Holmes of Montgomery.

The Legislature will return to Montgomery for the 2018 Regular Session on Jan. 9.

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Information from: WKRG-TV, http://www.wkrg.com/