Larry Stutts must resign

In 2015, AL.com columnist Kyle Whitmire characterized Alabama Senator Larry Stutts as a “scumbag” following his attempt to repeal Rose’s Law, legislation enacted to protect new mothers following childbirth.

I have been out of the Alabama Legislature since 2018, but recent events have compelled me to revisit that characterization and the record of a senator whose conduct deserves serious public scrutiny.

The story behind Rose’s Law

Rose’s Law was named for Rose Church, a patient of Dr. Larry Stutts who experienced complications following childbirth. I met with Rose’s husband and daughter at the time. As I recall their account, Rose sought medical attention at Stutts’ office and was told to return home and let nature take its course. She died soon afterward.

The late Senator Roger Bedford responded to this tragedy by sponsoring Rose’s Law. The law established protections allowing new mothers to remain in the hospital longer following childbirth, with insurance coverage for that care. Its purpose was straightforward: to help prevent another family from experiencing the tragedy that befell Rose Church.

When Stutts ran against my friend Roger Bedford in 2014, he waged what I considered one of the dirtiest campaigns in Alabama history. The lies seemed endless. I was directly involved in the political process and had firsthand knowledge of the allegations against Bedford. I knew which claims were true and which were false.

Against that background, it was deeply troubling that one of Stutts’ first legislative efforts was an attempt to repeal protections named for his former patient. That effort drew sharp criticism and helped earn him Whitmire’s notorious label.

I could cite other actions during Stutts’ tenure that, in my judgment, raise serious questions about his priorities and commitment to the public interest. But the story of Rose Church alone illustrates why the public should examine the conduct of those entrusted with legislative power.

Recent reporting raises further questions about Stutts’ conduct and whether he has honored that trust. Elected officials have an obligation to put the law, the public interest and the integrity of our institutions ahead of personal or political considerations.

Several Alabama friends recently brought to my attention an October 22, 2026, Alabama Political Reporter article by Jacob Holmes concerning a sworn affidavit Stutts submitted in support of a petition that helped lead to the vacating of a relative’s conviction for child sexual abuse.

The circumstances described in that report raise serious questions about Stutts’ judgment, his actions and his responsibilities as an elected official. A matter involving child sexual abuse demands particular care, transparency and accountability. The public deserves a clear explanation of the affidavit, the circumstances in which it was submitted and the role it played in the court’s decision.

Vacating a conviction is a judicial action, and the law and evidence must be considered carefully in each case. The ruling did not acquit Stutts’ relative; it restored all three sexual abuse charges, which he now faces at trial.

Nevertheless, the involvement of a sitting state senator in a matter of this gravity warrants a thorough public explanation. No elected official should be exempt from scrutiny because of the office he holds or the family relationships involved.

For me, this report is especially disturbing when considered alongside Stutts’ earlier attempt to repeal Rose’s Law. The two matters are different, but both raise questions about the judgment and responsibilities of someone entrusted with public power.

Accountability must come before political ambition

I served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1990 through 2018. During those 28 years, I witnessed firsthand the responsibilities and challenges of public service. I believe elected officials must be held to high standards, particularly when their actions raise questions about the protection of vulnerable people and the integrity of our legal system.

Since leaving the Legislature, my wife, Martha, and I have moved to Starkville, Mississippi. I accepted a position with the Stennis Institute at Mississippi State University, where I graduated in 1965. I have since retired from the university.

I have not closely followed Alabama politics since leaving the state. But friends brought this article to my attention because they believed its contents demanded notice. After reading it, I believe Stutts owes the people of Alabama’s Senate District 6 a full and transparent explanation.

In light of the seriousness of the reported circumstances and his conduct since first being elected, I call upon Stutts to withdraw immediately as a candidate for reelection and resign his seat in the Alabama Senate.

Public office is a public trust, not a personal possession. Holding elected office requires more than winning an election. It requires sound judgment, respect for the law, concern for vulnerable people and a willingness to accept responsibility when one’s actions come under legitimate scrutiny.

Alabama deserves elected officials who understand those obligations. Its citizens have every right to demand transparency and accountability from those who represent them.

The recent reporting, considered alongside Stutts’ legislative record, makes this a matter that cannot simply be ignored. The people of Alabama deserve answers, and Stutts must be held accountable for explaining his actions.