Seth Hammett

Seth Hammett (born June 24, 1946) is an Alabama Democratic politician. At a time, he was Speaker of the House in the Alabama House of Representatives. He was first elected to the State House in 1978.
Hammett did not seek reelection in 2010. Upon his retirement from the Alabama House of Representatives, he was named Speaker Emeritus in recognition of having served three terms as Speaker.
Following his retirement, Hammett was tapped by Governor Robert Bentley to serve as Director of the Alabama Development Office (now the Alabama Department of Commerce) and later to serve as Chief of Staff. Hammett is Vice President of Business Development for PowerSouth Energy Cooperative and Chairman of the Energy Institute of Alabama.

Seth Hammett was born and reared in Andalusia, Covington County, Alabama to a farming and well-drilling family. One of his uncles was a county commissioner.

Seth Hammett attended Auburn University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree and Masters in Business Administration degree. He also served in the U.S. Air Force. In 1971, he returned to Andalusia as a teacher in the local community college.

Hammett got his first taste of politics in 1973 when the Chamber of Commerce President groomed Hammett to replace him as president. By 1978, the state representative, Frank Jackson, announced his retirement and Hammett decided to run for his seat. Hammett won the election with a strong majority and continues to serve as representative for the 92nd District.

While serving in the Alabama House of Representatives, Hammett was also Director of Economic Development for the Alabama Electric Cooperative (now PowerSouth Energy Cooperative). Hammett received two honorary degrees from Troy University and the University of West Alabama. He now serves as Chief of Staff for Governor Robert Bentley.

Hammett continues to reside in Andalusia, Alabama with his wife, Nancy, where they are members of the First United Methodist Church of Andalusia. They have two children and two grandchildren.

Hammett was first elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in November 1978. He ran against Mike Purnell (now the mayor of Red Level, Alabama) and received 67.7% of the vote. Since 1978, Hammett has run unopposed in three of six elections and never received less than 56% of the vote.

In the 2002 election, he ran against Roger Broxton, President of the Confederate Heritage Fund and an outspoken proponent for the protection of confederate history. Hammett won with more than 70% of the vote.

Hammett also led a delegation on behalf of the Governor to South America to encourage trade between Alabama businesses and South American businesses. The trade mission visited Chile and Brazil and was successful in increasing port service and commercial trade between South America and Alabama and in developing educational programs linking South American universities with Alabamian universities (http://www.ndgi.com/news/2004/20040927.shtml).

One of the dominant issues in Alabama politics in recent years is the lottery. Hammett supports the idea of a lottery for the state.

Honors

• Citizen of the Year and the Distinguished Service Award in Andalusia
• Guardian of Small Business, awarded by the National Federation of Independent Businesses
• The Legislative Leadership Award, given by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools
• The Meritorious Service Award, given by The Montgomery Advertiser
• The Service to Agriculture Award, given by the Alabama Farmers' Federation
• The Children's Hero Award, given by the Alabama Department of Human Resources
• The Legislator of the Year Award, given by Alabama Electric Cities
• The Legislative Award given by the Alabama Association of School Boards
• The Legislator of the Year Award, given by the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents
• Alabama Academy of Honor

Affiliations

• The Board of Directors of the State Legislative Leaders Foundation
• The Executive Committee of the National Speakers Conference
• The Management Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference
• The Executive Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference
• The Executive Committee of the Council of State Governments
• The Executive Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures
• Chairman of the Energy Institute of Alabama

Positions

• Chairman of the 16-state Southern Legislative Conference
• President of the National Speakers Conference
• Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives
• Founder and first president of the First National (now Wachovia) Bank of Andalusia
• President emeritus of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
• Director of Economic Development for Alabama Electric Cooperative (Now PowerSouth Energy Cooperative)
• Vice President of Business Development for PowerSouth Energy Cooperative