Hubbard Elected Speaker of the House

After losing his ride home when Gov. Bob Riley cancelled his trip to the BCS Championship and flying most of the night to get back, state Rep. Mike Hubbard of Auburn was once again elected speaker of the House.

"This is a tremendous honor for me," he said. "But I won’t give a long speech considering less than 12 hours ago I was on a football field in Glendale, Ariz."

There were 68 members who made it in time to vote for Hubbard at Tuesday's organizational session. He was first elected speaker during the 2010 special session, but had to be re-elected for the new quadrennium.

Hubbard promised the members that he would work with all members and "make sure that everything is done in an above board and honorable way."

"I hope that you saw that during the special session," he said. "I can tell you that you won't agree with me all the time, but I will listen, the door to the office will be open all the time and I will make sure that everyone is treated fairly and that the rules are enforced fairly."

"I will work every day to not let you down," he said.

-- posted by Markeshia Ricks