Tom Whatley

Senator Tom Whatley represents Lee, Tallapoosa, and Russell counties and is currently serving his third term in the Alabama Senate.  He is Chairman of the Agriculture  Conservation and Forestry Committee and a member of the following committees: Finance and Taxation Education, Confirmations, Judiciary, Banking and Insurance, and Healthcare.  Senator Whatley is a key leader in the Alabama Senate making sure our state and his district issues are heard and addressed.  He was instrumental by sponsoring and passing the following pieces of legislation: Autism Insurance Coverage Act, Crossover Voting Ban Act, Agricultural Working Dog Act, $50 Million National Guard Armory Infrastructure Improvement Act, and a slue of military-friendly bills making Alabama a great place for military families to call home and thrive.  Senator Whatley also was successful by securing $5 million in funding for Auburn University thereby saving the Auburn Aviation Program and ensuring Delta’s commitment to the program.  Over his ten years in the Senate, Auburn University, the district’s largest employer, has seen a substantial increase in their budget each year, and Senator Whatley has stressed the commitment to Auburn to emphasize their Land Grant Mission.  Over his ten years in office, the State’s Education budget has built up a $1.5 billion reserve and has not faced proration due to responsible budgeting.

Senator Whatley’s roots run deep in Lee County over several generations, with his family first moving to the area that is now Lee County in 1832.  After graduating from Beauregard High School, he attended Auburn University.  In 1994, he was a member of the ROTC where he was commissioned a 2^nd Lieutenant.  He then received his Juris Doctorate at Jones Law School.  Not only does Senator Whatley practice law and is partners with his father in the family farming operation, he also serves his country in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Colonel and has been in the Alabama National Guard, Active Army, or Reserves for over 32 years.  He has been deployed twice overseas in support of U.S. military operations and has been awarded several commendations including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.  While serving, Whatley also worked for eight years in state government in senior staff positions with the Alabama Public Service Commission and the as Chief of Staff for the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.   He is a member of the Auburn United Methodist Church.