On Monday, House Pro Tem Victor Gaston (R-Mobile) announced that he will not be a candidate for reelection during the 2022 campaign cycle.

Gaston was elected to the Alabama Legislature in 1982 and even served a brief stint as Speaker of the House after the conviction of former Speaker Mike Hubbard.

“Representing the citizens of West Mobile in the Alabama House has been my distinct honor and pleasure for the past 40 years, but the time has come to step off the public stage and pass the mantle of leadership to someone else,” Gaston said in a statement. “It is important to note that serving in this office for so many years was possible only because of the unconditional love, support, and commitment given to me by my late wife of 46 years, Jean, and my sons, Hank and George.”

Gaston was elected Speaker Pro Tem after the 2010 Republican takeover of the Alabama Legislature.

Gaston’s departure opens up a vacancy for House District 100, which is located in the western portion of Mobile County.

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.