Steve Marshall has been appointed as Alabama’s Attorney General; the Internet explodes with controversy

Well, that was quick. The District Attorney for Marshall County, Steve Marshall, has been appointed as Alabama’s new Attorney General.

Here is a link to the official press release from Governor Bentley’s office. According to Governor Bentley, Marshall is a “a well-respected District Attorney with impeccable credentials and strong conservative values.”

“I know he will be a great Attorney General who will uphold the laws of this state and serve the people of Alabama with fairness,” Bentley said in the press release. “Steve has been instrumental in key legislation to protect Alabamians when it comes to opioid abuse, and I know he will continue to uphold the law as he serves as the state’s top law enforcement official.”

Marshall will serve the remainder of former Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange’s term, which is up for re-election in 2018.

Governor Robert Bentley made the appointment on Friday, after spending two days interviewing candidates for the position that has been vacated by Strange, the former Alabama Attorney General.

Strange was appointed by Bentley to represent Alabama in the U.S. Senate on Thursday, after Senator Jeff Sessions was confirmed on Wednesday to be the U.S. Attorney General. That’s two appointments to wrap your heads around, Birmingham, along with some controversy, too.

U.S. News and World report cites “widespread concern” at the appointment of Strange to the Senate, while the Montgomery Advertiser goes into depth, citing “probing questions” about Strange’s appointment.

What’s All The Fuss?
Last fall, the Alabama House Judiciary Committee began investigating a possible impeachment of Governor Bentley, after allegations arose that Bentley had allegedly had an affair with his political advisor, Rebekah Mason.

Attorney General Strange asked the committee to suspend the investigation, via a letter written in June 2016 that stated the probe might “intersect with certain issues and witnesses.” Local and national news outlets have questioned this series of events that ended with Strange’s appointment to the Senate by Bentley, as some were under the impression that Strange’s office was investigating Bentley for possible impeachment.

It is not known if Marshall, the new State Attorney General, will conduct his own investigation into Bentley. However, state lawmakers have called for the investigation to resume. We’ll keep you updated, so please stay tuned, Birmingham.