Bill Armistead (born May 29, 1944) is an American politician from the state of Alabama. He served as the chairman of the Alabama Republican Party from 2011 to 2015. He served in the Alabama Senate from 1994 to 2002, representing the 14th district.

Early life and education

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Bill Armistead was born on May 29, 1944, in Campbell, Alabama.[1] He attended Samford University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1966.[1] While at Samford, Armistead founded the Samford chapter of the College Republicans.[2]

Career

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Armistead worked for trucking companies for 20 years before becoming a staffer for H. Guy Hunt, the Governor of Alabama. He worked for Hunt from 1988 through 1993 as his chief economic advisor. He was elected to the Alabama Senate in 1994, and was reelected in 1998. In 2002, Armistead ran for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama.[1] He lost the election to Democrat Lucy Baxley.[3]

In 2011, Armistead was elected chairman of the Alabama Republican Party.[4] He stepped down in 2015, when Terry Lathan was elected.[5]

Armistead worked on both the 2010 and 2022 gubernatorial campaigns of businessman Tim James. In 2010, Armistead was a Birmingham regional director for James' campaign,[6] but after James lost a spot in the runoff for the primary, Armistead began working for future Governor Robert J. Bentley's campaign instead.[7] Armistead also served as campaign chairman for James' 2022 gubernatorial run.[8][9]

Personal life

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Armistead resides in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.[citation needed] He was married to Emily Armistead from April 1968 until her death in a traffic accident in March 2017.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "The Tuscaloosa News - Google News Archive Search".
  2. ^ Samford Crimson (15 September 2011). "College Republicans host Samford alum at first meeting". al.com. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
  3. ^ "Gadsden Times - Google News Archive Search".
  4. ^ Kim Chandler – Montgomery Bureau (19 February 2011). "Columbiana's Bill Armistead chosen to lead Alabama Republicans | al.com". Blog.al.com. Retrieved 2013-10-18.
  5. ^ Erin Edgemon, Terry Lathan of Mobile County elected chairwoman of Alabama Republican Party, The Birmingham News, February 21, 2015
  6. ^ "Tim James names 2 to campaign for governor". The Clanton Advertiser. January 14, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  7. ^ "Love, Armistead Face Off For Alabama GOP Chairman". Alabama Public Radio. February 18, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  8. ^ Sell, Mary (December 5, 2021). "Tim James running for Alabama governor". Alabama Daily News. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
  9. ^ Moseley, Brandon (March 30, 2022). "Tim James introduces gubernatorial campaign leadership team". 1819 News. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  10. ^ Robinson, Carol (March 24, 2017). "Wife of former Alabama GOP chairman Bill Armistead hit by car, killed". AL.com. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
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Alabama Senate
Preceded by
Frank "Butch" Ellis, Jr.
Member of the Alabama Senate
from the 14th district

1995–2003
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama
2002
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party
2011–2015
Succeeded by