Mike Hubbard (politician)

Mike Hubbard (born February 11, 1962) is an American former state politician who was a Republican member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing the 79th district in Lee County. He was first elected in 1998 and previously served as Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives. Before that, he was House Minority Leader six years (2004–10) and was twice chairman of the Alabama Republican Party (2007–11).

Mike Hubbard
65th Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives
In office November 3, 2010 – June 10, 2016
Preceded by	Seth Hammett
Succeeded by	Victor Gaston (Acting)
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives from the 79th district
In office 1998 – June 10, 2016
Preceded by	Pete Turnham
Personal details
Born	February 11, 1962 Hartwell, Georgia, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Susan Hubbard
Children	2
Residence	Kilby Correctional Facility
Alma mater	University of Georgia
Website	House website

In 2016, Hubbard was sentenced to four years in prison for felony violations of state ethics laws.[1] Per state law, he was removed as a member of the House.[2] On September 11, 2020, he reported to the Lee County Sheriff's Office to be taken into custody and turned over to the Alabama Department of Corrections to begin his term of imprisonment.[3]

Career

Hubbard is a broadcaster and businessman in Auburn, Alabama. His company, Auburn Network, owns and operates four radio stations in the Auburn/Opelika market and publishes a quarterly magazine, East Alabama Living. It also operates an advertising agency, Network Creative Media. His company sold the multi-media rights to Auburn University athletics to International Sports Properties in 2003, which merged with IMG's college sports marketing/broadcasting group in 2010.

Early life and education

Hubbard was senior class president in his Hartwell, Georgia high school.[4] During high school, Hubbard beat Ralph E. Reed, Jr. to become the Georgia state champion in the Voice of Democracy speech contest.[4] Hubbard went to the University of Georgia on a journalism scholarship, where he helped lead the successful public relations campaign for Herschel Walker’s 1982 Heisman Trophy.[4] After graduating, Hubbard got a job in the Auburn University athletic department and led a successful public relations campaign for Bo Jackson’s 1985 Heisman.[4] Hubbard left Auburn and started a new company, which then won exclusive broadcast rights for all Auburn Tigers sports and made Hubbard a millionaire.[4] Prior to forming Auburn Network in 1994, he served as general manager of Host Communications (1990–1994), and associate sports information director for Auburn University (1984–1990).

Political career

In 1996, Patrick Nix, (quarterback for Auburn in 1993), recommended that Hubbard apply his public relations expertise to Bob Riley’s congressional campaign.[4] Riley won and, in gratitude, invited Hubbard to attend the swearing-in ceremony in the Alabama State Capitol, where Hubbard says he was impressed by the "symbols of our nation’s power."[4]

In 1998, Bill Canary provided polling during Hubbard's first election campaign.[5] Hubbard won, taking a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives representing much of Lee County, Alabama.[4]

In 2002, Riley won the Alabama gubernatorial election, and gave Hubbard the leadership of the Alabama Republican Party.[4] Hubbard would later name his youngest son Riley.[5] As leader of the state's Republican party, Hubbard became a member of the Republican National Committee, and received invitations to visit the White House.[4]

References

1. "The Football Rivalry That Could Decide the Alabama Senate Race". POLITICO Magazine. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
2. Mike Cason (June 10, 2016). "Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard convicted on 12 counts". The Birmingham News. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
3. Cason, Mike (September 11, 2020). "Former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard reports to jail to start prison sentence". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
4. Miller, Joe (16 May 2016). "Is Mike Hubbard the Most Corrupt Politician in America?". The New Republic. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
5. Miller, Joe (17 June 2016). "Beyond Mike Hubbard: How Deep Does Corruption in Alabama Go?". The New Republic. Retrieved 23 June 2016.

External links

• Mike Hubbard Facebook page
• Mike Hubbard Homepage (archived)
• Alabama Legislature – Mike Hubbard (archived)
• Project Vote Smart – Mike Hubbard
• Campaign contributions: 2008, 2006, 2002, 1998