Bob Riley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Riley
Riley in 2005
52nd Governor of Alabama
In office January 20, 2003 – January 17, 2011
Lieutenant	Lucy Baxley Jim Folsom
Preceded by	Don Siegelman
Succeeded by	Robert Bentley
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama's 3rd district
In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2003
Preceded by	Glen Browder
Succeeded by	Mike Rogers
Personal details
Born	Robert Renfroe Riley (1944-10-03) October 3, 1944 (age 80) Ashland, Alabama, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Patsy Adams ​ (m. 1964)​
Children	4
Education	University of Alabama (BA)

Robert Renfroe Riley (born October 3, 1944) is an American retired politician and businessman. He served as the 52nd governor of Alabama from 2003 to 2011. Before that, he was a U.S. representative for Alabama's 3rd congressional district from 1997 to 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Early Life and Career

Bob Riley was born in Ashland, Alabama, a small town where his family had lived for many generations. His family worked as ranchers and farmers.

He went to the University of Alabama and earned a degree in business. Before becoming a politician, Riley owned several businesses. He had a car dealership and a trucking company. He also worked with cattle and as a real estate agent.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Rep Bob Riley house portrait

Riley with President George W. Bush

In 1996, Bob Riley was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. This was his first time running for a public office. He won by a small number of votes. He became only the second Republican to represent Alabama's 3rd district since the Reconstruction period.

He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2000.

Governor of Alabama

2002 Election for Governor

Riley decided not to run for the U.S. House again in 2002. Instead, he ran for governor of Alabama. He believed in serving only a limited number of terms. He won the election against the current governor, Don Siegelman. Riley won by about 3,000 votes. This was the closest governor's race in Alabama's history.

First Term as Governor

Public Opinion

When Riley first became governor, his approval ratings were lower. However, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, many people thought he handled the situation well. His approval ratings then went up significantly.

Property Taxes

A big issue during his time as governor was property taxes. Some people said that Riley's administration was making property appraisals happen more often. This could lead to people paying more taxes. Riley said he was just following the law.

"Amendment One" Proposal

Early in his first term, Riley suggested a plan called "Amendment One." This plan aimed to change Alabama's tax system. It would have lowered income taxes for some people. It would also have raised taxes on other things, like sales and property. The goal was to make the state's budget more stable.

The plan also included ideas for better schools and a scholarship program for college students. Many business groups and education groups supported the plan. However, some groups, including farmers, were against it. They worried that taxes would go up for many people.

Voters rejected Amendment One in September 2003. Even though it didn't pass, Riley was recognized for trying to fix the state's money problems. Governing magazine named him "Public Official of the Year" in 2003. Time magazine called him one of the nation's "most courageous politicians."

Economic Growth

Riley worked to bring new businesses and jobs to Alabama. For example, a large aerospace company, EADS (which owns Airbus), opened a facility in Mobile. This could lead to more aircraft building jobs in the future.

Under his leadership, Alabama's unemployment rate dropped significantly. In March 2006, it was one of the lowest in the country.

Hurricane Response

In 2005, Governor Riley ordered people in some areas to leave their homes before Hurricane Dennis hit. Later, when Hurricane Katrina approached, he declared a state of emergency. He asked President George W. Bush for help for six counties in south Alabama.

2006 Reelection

Riley ran for reelection in 2006 and won easily. He defeated the Democratic candidate, Lieutenant Governor Lucy Baxley.

Second Term as Governor

Economy in Second Term

Governor Bob Riley with Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne discussing water issues in October 2007.

In 2007, Alabama's unemployment rate was very low again. However, during the national economic downturn in 2009, Alabama's unemployment rate increased.

Despite this, Alabama received many awards for its efforts in job creation and economic development during Riley's time as governor. For example, Southern Business and Development magazine named Alabama "State of the Year" four years in a row.

A major success was when ThyssenKrupp decided to build a huge steel mill near Mobile, Alabama. This was the largest business project in Alabama's history and created 2,700 jobs.

Open Government

Governor Riley worked to make government more open. He posted information online about how the governor's office spent money and how state airplanes were used.

Apology for Slavery

In 2007, Governor Riley signed a resolution passed by the state legislature. This resolution officially apologized for the history of slavery in Alabama.

After Being Governor

After his time as governor ended in 2011, there was some talk that Bob Riley might run for president in 2012. However, he said he was not considering it and did not run.

Personal Life

Bob Riley is married to Patsy Adams. They have four children: Rob, Jenice, Minda, and Krisalyn. Sadly, their first daughter, Jenice, passed away in 2001. The Rileys have three granddaughters and three grandsons.

In 2011, Riley was in a motorcycle accident in Alaska and was seriously injured.

Electoral History

Images for kids

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  Riley in 2005

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  Rep Bob Riley house portrait

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  Riley with President George W. Bush

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  Governor Bob Riley with Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne discussing water issues in October 2007.