Luther Strange facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Luther Strange
Official portrait, 2017
United States Senator from Alabama
In office February 9, 2017 – January 3, 2018
Appointed by	Robert Bentley
Preceded by	Jeff Sessions
Succeeded by	Doug Jones
47th Attorney General of Alabama
In office January 17, 2011 – February 9, 2017
Governor	Robert Bentley
Preceded by	Troy King
Succeeded by	Steve Marshall
Personal details
Born	Luther Johnson Strange III (1953-03-01) March 1, 1953 (age 72) Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Height	6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
Spouse	Melissa Strange
Children	2
Education	Tulane University (BA, JD)
Known for	Tallest U.S. Senator in history
Signature

Luther Johnson Strange III (born March 1, 1953) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as a United States Senator for Alabama from 2017 to 2018. He was chosen for this role after Jeff Sessions left the position to become the United States Attorney General.

Before becoming a Senator, Strange was the 47th Attorney General of Alabama from 2011 to 2017. He ran for public office several times, including for Lieutenant Governor in 2006 and Attorney General in 2010 and 2014. In 2010, he won the election for Attorney General.

When Senator Jeff Sessions became U.S. Attorney General in February 2017, the Governor of Alabama, Robert J. Bentley, appointed Strange to fill the empty Senate seat. Strange then ran in a special election to keep the seat but lost in the Republican primary to Roy Moore. Later, Doug Jones won the special election and became the new Senator.

Early Life and School

Luther Strange was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He lived in Sylacauga until he was six, then his family moved to Homewood. He finished high school at Shades Valley High School in 1971.

He went to Tulane University for his first degree. Then, he studied law at Tulane University Law School. Strange became a lawyer in Alabama in 1981.

Starting His Career

After law school, Strange worked as a lawyer for Sonat Offshore, a company that dealt with natural gas. He joined the company in 1980. By 1985, he was in charge of Sonat's office in Washington, D.C.. He left the company in 1994. For some years, he also worked as a lobbyist in Washington for Sonat and Transocean Offshore Drilling Co.

Before becoming Attorney General, Strange started his own law firm called Strange LLC in Birmingham, Alabama. Before that, he was a partner at another law firm, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP.

Serving as Alabama's Attorney General

Luther Strange campaign sign, 2010

As Alabama's Attorney General, Luther Strange took legal action against the federal government many times. These cases involved topics like rules for transgender students and how money was calculated from oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. He also joined other states in challenging the Clean Power Plan, which was a federal plan about energy.

Strange also supported ExxonMobil when some states were looking into whether the oil company had hidden information about climate change. He did not agree with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that made same-sex marriage legal across the country.

During his time as Attorney General, the Alabama House Speaker, Mike Hubbard, was found guilty and removed from office in June 2016. Strange stepped aside from that case, letting another lawyer, Van Davis, handle it.

Strange also helped lead the legal efforts for the Gulf Coast states after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. In 2014, he spoke before the U.S. Supreme Court for the first time in a case about a person who reported corruption.

He also brought Alabama into a lawsuit against California's rules for egg production. However, a judge later dismissed this lawsuit. Strange was the chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association in 2016 and 2017.

Becoming a U.S. Senator

Strange as U.S. Senator

When Senator Jeff Sessions was nominated to be the U.S. Attorney General in November 2016, it meant his Senate seat would become open. Many people wanted to be appointed to this seat.

How He Was Appointed

Strange during his ceremonial swearing in by Vice President Mike Pence

Luther Strange said in November 2016 that he planned to run for the Senate seat, whether he was appointed or not. He officially announced his candidacy in December. He said he looked forward to showing the people of Alabama why they could trust him to protect their values.

Governor Bentley interviewed many people for the Senate position. Strange was interviewed in late December 2016. In February 2017, Governor Bentley announced six finalists for the appointment, including Strange.

His Selection

After Jeff Sessions was confirmed as Attorney General on February 8, 2017, Governor Bentley announced Strange's appointment on February 9. Governor Bentley said he believed Strange had the right skills to serve the people of Alabama well. Strange said it was "the honor of my life." He mentioned his work with other Republican attorneys general to stop certain rules from the previous presidential administration.

Public Reaction

Many Republicans welcomed Strange's appointment, including other state attorneys general and political figures. They saw him as a strong supporter of conservative ideas.

However, some other Republicans were concerned. They pointed out that Strange had asked for a delay in a process involving Governor Bentley before the Senate seat became available. Some people wondered if there was a connection between these events and Strange's appointment. State Auditor Jim Zeigler said, "The whole thing stinks."

Others disagreed, saying the appointment was fair. They noted that the process involving the governor had paused before the Senate seat was open. Strange himself said that his office had never stated they were investigating the governor.

His Time in the Senate

Strange was sworn into office on February 9, 2017. He was one of many senators who asked President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, which is an international agreement about climate change.

What Committees He Joined

As a U.S. Senator, Strange was part of several important committees:

• United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
  • Subcommittee on Rural Development and Energy
  • Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Nutrition, Agricultural Research and Specialty Crops (Chair)
• United States Senate Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support
  • Subcommittee on Seapower
• United States Senate Committee on the Budget
• United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Energy
  • Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests and Mining
  • Subcommittee on Water and Power

The Special Election

Strange ran in the special election to finish the Senate term. He came in second in the first round of the Republican primary. In the runoff election on September 26, 2017, he lost to former state judge Roy Moore. Moore then lost the general election to the Democratic candidate, Doug Jones, on December 12.

Election Results

Here are some of the election results for Luther Strange:

His Political Views

Support for Donald Trump

Strange supported President Donald Trump. He said he wanted Trump's plans to pass and was honored to have Trump's support. During his time as a Senator, Strange voted in line with Donald Trump's views most of the time.

Gun Policy

Strange has a high rating from the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund. This is because he is against banning firearms and supports gun owners' rights. He has consistently opposed efforts to control guns.

Personal Life

Luther Strange is married to Melissa Strange. They live in Homewood, Alabama.

At 6 feet 9 inches tall, Strange is known as the tallest U.S. Senator in history. He is a member of the Episcopal Church.

Strange also has a share in a company called Sunbelt EB-5 Regional Center, LLC. This company helps connect investors with U.S. projects. It uses a special visa program that allows foreigners to gain permanent residency if they invest in American businesses that create jobs. Strange earned money for helping with a hospital expansion project in Birmingham.

Awards and Recognition

In 2011, the Boy Scouts of America honored Strange with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

See also

In Spanish: Luther Strange para niños