Chief Justice Lyn Stuart announces candidacy, seeking full term

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Lyn Stuart, acting Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.

Lyn Stuart on Tuesday announced she will seek a full term as Alabama’s Chief Justice.

Stuart was appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey in April following the resignation of former chief justice, and current U.S. Senate candidate, Roy Moore. She is the first female Republican Chief Justice in the history of the State of Alabama.

“I am proud to announce my campaign for Chief Justice because we need to continue making Alabama a place where justice is served and the law is evenly applied to all parties,” Stuart said in a news release. “We need a judicial system where our justices follow the law, not make the law. And we need justices who strictly interpret the constitution. I’m proud of my record of doing just that and I look forward to speaking with the voters to get that message out there over the coming months.”

Stuart has been elected to the Alabama Supreme Court three times — in 2000, 2006 and 2012. Prior to that she was elected a District Judge in 1988 and again in 1994. In 1997 she was appointed a Circuit Court Judge and was elected to the position in 1998.

A native of Atmore, Ala. Stuart received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Auburn University with high honor in 1977 and her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Alabama in 1980. Her legal career includes stints as an Assistant State Attorney General, Special Assistant Attorney General for the State Department of Corrections, and as an Assistant District Attorney for Baldwin County.

“Securing adequate financial resources for our courts is a primary responsibility of the Chief Justice. State government is experiencing tough financial times,” Stuart continued. “Everyone in our court system is having to do more with less. It’s important to have someone with my background, experience and work ethic, someone who will work hard every day to keep our courts fair and running smoothly. That’s what I’ve been doing for 29 years and, if elected, that’s what I intend to keep doing.“