James Elisha Folsom, Jr. (born 14 May 1949) is an American Democratic politician who was the governor of Alabama from 1993 to 1995. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, he is the son of legendary two-term Alabama Governor James E. "Big Jim" Folsom, Sr. Despite being well over six feet tall, he is popularly known as "Little Jim" as a result. In 1974, he graduated from Jacksonville State University, which he presently serves as a trustee. Folsom was elected to the Alabama Public Service Commission in 1978 and re-elected in 1982. In 1980 he defeated incumbent Donald W. Stewart in the Democratic Senate primary, but narrowly lost the general election to Republican Jeremiah Denton. He served as Alabama lieutenant governor from 1987 to 1993. He assumed the governorship from H. Guy Hunt when Hunt was removed from office, convicted of state ethics law violations with regard to funds involved in his second inauguraral ceremonies.
Only weeks after Folsom assumed the office, state officials were approached by Mercedes-Benz about the possibility of locating its first manufacturing plant outside Germany in Alabama. Over the following months, Folsom led Alabama's efforts to recruit the facility, culminating in an October 1993 announcement that Alabama had beaten 30 other states for the coveted facility. The prestige of the Mercedes plant opened the door for future automotive plants to locate in the state.[1]
He ordered the removal of the Confederate flag from the state capitol to a memorial.[2]
In 1994, he ran for a full term. Despite his record he was narrowly defeated by former Governor Fob James. In 2006, Folsom reentered state politics, running again as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. He defeated Republican Luther Strange in the general election in November.
Folsom endorsed former Governor of Vermont Howard Dean in 2004 Democratic presidential primaries[3]. In the 1988 primaries, he supported Al Gore.
Folsom is considered a potential candidate for Governor in 2010.
Folsom is married to the former Marsha Guthrie. They have two children. He is an Episcopalian.
Electoral history
Democratic primary for the U.S. House of Representatives - AL 4th district, 1976
- Tom Bevill (Inc.) - 90,168 (80.87%)
- Jim Folsom, Jr. - 21,335 (19.13%)
Democratic primary for the United States Senate, 1980
Democratic runoff for the United States Senate, 1980
Alabama United States Senate election, 1980
- Jeremiah Denton (R) - 650,363 (50.15%)
- Jim Folsom, Jr. (D) - 610,175 (47.05%)
Democratic primary for Lt. Governor, 1986
Democratic runoff for Lt. Governor, 1986
- Jim Folsom, Jr. - 517,724 (57.49%)
- John Teague - 382,836 (42.51
Election for Lieutenant Governor, 1986
- Jim Folsom, Jr. (D) - 726,111 (61.85%)
- Don McGriff (R) - 447,978 (38.16%)
Democratic primary for Lt. Governor, 1990
Election for Lieutenant Governor, 1990
- Jim Folsom, Jr. (D) (Inc.) - 768,988 (67.33%)
- Bob McKee (R) - 373,072 (32.67%)
Democratic primary for Governor, 1994
Alabama gubernatorial election, 1994
- Fob James (R) - 604,926 (50.33%)
- Jim Folsom, Jr. (D) (Inc.) - 594,169 (49.43%)
Democratic primary for Lt. Governor, 2006
- Jim Folsom, Jr. - unopposed
Election for Lieutenant Governor, 2006
- Jim Folsom, Jr. (D) - 629,268 (50.61%)
- Luther Strange (R) - 610,982 (49.14%)
- Write-in candidates - 3,029 (0.24%)
Source: [1]
Notes
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