By John Sharp
Alabama’s longest-serving member of the state House of Representatives is seeking treatment for three small brain tumors, but he vows to be a participant in this year’s legislative session.
State Rep. Steve McMillan, 80, who is retiring at the end of his term, is undergoing an “aggressive treatment plan,” a statement released by the Baldwin County Legislative Delegation’s offices said on Friday.
McMillan is the current representative of House District 95, which encompasses cities like Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, the Fort Morgan peninsula, parts of Foley, Elberta and Lillian.
“I am hopeful of its success as are the doctors, but we all know that God’s power to heal far surpasses anything known to man,” said McMillan in a statement. “I welcome and appreciate your prayers on my behalf as my family and I take on this fight.”
In a call with AL.com, McMillan said he will be undergoing treatments this month, and confirmed that he spoke with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday. He said the governor “volunteered that her office was available” to assist him in drafting or expediting the introduction of legislation “or anything else you would expect from the process.”
McMillan said he’s also received offers from colleagues for assistance in driving to and from Montgomery this spring.
“Right now, we have to wait and see what the treatment plan is, and we’ll see how long that goes,” McMillan said. “I’ve had people call me up and ask to drive me to Montgomery or anywhere. I guess you can say that I appreciate my colleagues more now than before. So many have come forward to volunteer transportation.
McMillan said he does not plan to be in Montgomery during the first week of session, which begins on January 11. He said he will receive treatments next week.
McMillan has served in the Alabama House since 1980. His tenure is the longest in that chamber, two years ahead of state Rep. Victor Gaston, R-Mobile, and Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, who were both elected to the House for the first time in 1982.
“Serving the people of Baldwin County in the House for the past 42 years has been the honor of a lifetime, and I am committed to providing my constituents the same level of serve, devotion, and attention that they received before my diagnosis,” McMillan said. “I will be at my desk on the House floor this session as much as my treatments will allow, and I will continue to address issues in Baldwin County as I always have.”
Thus far, two Republicans – Frances Holk-Jones of Foley and Michael Ludvigsen of Gulf Shores – are registered through the Alabama Secretary of State as candidates for the open District 95 seat. The only Democrat signed up to run is Richard Brackner of Gulf Shores. Qualifying to run for office ends on January 28. The primary is May 24.
McMillan said he is not endorsing any candidates ahead of the elections.