Governor Robert Bentley touted the state’s economic successes in two speeches in Birmingham Wednesday. They were his first public appearances since First Lady Diane Bentley, his wife of fifty years, filed for divorce late last week. The divorce announcement has led to speculation about the Governor’s personal life, and has at least one lawmaker questioning if he misused state property.
But Governor Bentley’s marital troubles don’t seem to be hurting his relationship with Alabama’s business community.
A crowd of more than 200 welcomed the Governor with a standing ovation during lunch at the Alabama Launchpad Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference at the BJCC in Birmingham on Wednesday. The Republican Governor smiled for pictures and even seemed to be joking with his fellow speakers onstage.
The talk of the hour was Alabama’s economy, with no mention of the Governor’s personal life, or even the upcoming special legislative session.
Mark Crosswhite, Alabama Power CEO and Birmingham Business Alliance chairman, praised Governor Bentley’s leadership. “During the governor’s first four years, the state has regained more than 80,000 jobs,” said Crosswhite.
Jamie Martin,Governor's Office
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and other officials at the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference in Birmingham, on Wednesday. It was Bentley’s first public speech since his wife of 50 years, Diane Bentley, filed for divorce last week.
The conversation was very different after the lunch, when talking to reporters, Governor Bentley was asked about his split from Mrs. Bentley.
“Other than the comment that I made last Friday, I really do not have a comment,” said Bentley.
He thanked Alabamaians for their prayers, and asked for privacy.
“It’s a private matter that we’re working through,” Bentley told reporters. “I just want to tell the people that we love them. We’re going to continue to be their governor. I’m going to continue to try to be the best governor Alabama ever had. I want them to know how much I appreciated their prayers and I want them to continue that but this is a private matter and we will have no comment on that today.”
The Governor also denied allegations that he’d misused state property. State Representative Allen Farley has asked Attorney General Luther Strange to investigate allegations that the Governor may have used state property or money to cover up a rumored extramarital affair.
Addressing the misuse of state property, Bentley responded, “It is not true. We will show that it’s not.”
The Governor then made his way across town for another warm reception from business leaders at the groundbreaking for Oxford Pharmaceuticals’ new, $29.4 million facility. The Governor sat alongside Birmingham Mayor William Bell and Jefferson County Commissioner David Carrington, among others. Bentley commented on the up to 200 jobs the generic drug manufacturer will bring to Alabama.
“You know, when you see new companies like this and new jobs being created, it’s always good for the people of this great state,” he said.
What might not be good for Alabama is if Bentley’s personal issues overshadow a critical second special session, set to begin on Tuesday, September 8. The state faces an estimated $200 million budget shortfall. Legislators and the Governor haven’t been able to agree on how to solve the state’s financial problems.