These Alabama leaders are poised to make a mark in 2024 | INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE

My notebook of observations from 2023 was so full that I will continue this week.

Our new United States senator, Katie Boyd Britt, has proven to all of us that she is indeed the superstar we predicted she would be. She is sensational. She has certainly not disappointed. She is on course to be one of Alabama’s greatest senators in history if she does not become president first.

More: A few accolades and observations from 2023 | INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE

During 2023, I had the opportunity to speak to a leadership group from the University of South Alabama during their visit to the Capitol. I visit with them every year. They have an outstanding governmental affairs director, Nick Lawkis.

Included in the group, was a young lady from Enterprise named Camille Bonura, who was Student Government Association president at USA in 2022. She is currently in graduate school at USA and serving as a graduate assistant for USA President Jo Bonner. Camille reminds me so much of another young lady I met from Enterprise 20 years ago named Katie Boyd. In fact, she is almost a Katie Boyd clone. Both are brilliant and from Enterprise. Their families are close. Katie Boyd Britt even babysat Camille and was one of her dance instructors.

Speaking of young promising people, 26-year-old Hoover/Vestavia lawyer Derek Chen is the most politically connected person I have ever encountered at such a young age. He is friends with almost every legislator and lobbyist in the state.

One of the most brilliant and promising young leaders in the state is U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s assistant, Emory Cox. Young Mr. Cox is a 28-year-old native of Pell City. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University. Cox is Tuberville’s senior economic adviser. Before his current role with Tuberville, he was an associate director of the White House National Economic Council under Larry Kudlow in the Trump White House for three years.

Gov. Kay Ivey did a good day’s work when she named veteran Tuscaloosa legislative leader Bill Poole to be finance director. Poole wrote the state education budgets for a decade as chairman of the House Ways and Means Education Budget Committee.

He quietly sits back in a large private office in the Capitol suite adjoining the governor’s office and writes the state’s budget. Although he was in public office for decades, he seeks anonymity and does not like the spotlight or fanfare. He is still young. You may not have heard the last of Bill Poole politically.

The brightest star in the university presidents category is by far Jacksonville State University President Don Killingsworth. JSU's longtime board leaders are so proud to have Killingsworth they could burst a button. You should hear chairman Randy Jones and JSU lawyer and state political veteran Charlie Waldrep brag about Don Killingsworth.

Killingsworth was JSU’s lobbyist for over a decade. He became acting president in October of 2019, and full president in 2020. Under his leadership, JSU has over $200 million in infrastructure improvements on campus in the works.

Jacksonville State also has a very good and nationally acclaimed football coach in Rich Rodriguez. They are having fantastic run under his tutelage.

Calhoun County has a very promising and personable County Commissioner named Lee Patterson. He represents the Jacksonville area of Calhoun County. He and his wife, Susan, are Calhoun County natives and live 2 miles north of Jacksonville on a family farm.

Lee Patterson is present-elect of the Association of County Commissions of Alabama. He will take over as president of ACCA in August of 2024. He will be following Jefferson County Commissioner Joe Knight.

The next probate judge of Lee County will be an outstanding young man named Jere Colley Jr. Colley is a practicing attorney in Opelika. Lee County is a Republican bailiwick. Young Mr. Colley won the Republican nomination unopposed. This is a testament of the respect and popularity for Colley and his family. He will be following the popular Bill English, the 18-year veteran Republican probate judge.

I have known young Colley all of his life. His mama and daddy, Dr. Jere and Judy Colley, are my lifetime friends. We grew up together in Troy. My good friend, Jere Sr., is a revered, retired veterinarian in Opelika.

Veteran Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle will coast to reelection for his fourth, four-year term as mayor of Alabama’s most prosperous and largest city this year. Battle has overseen and been the key ingredient in the amazing story of Huntsville, Alabama.

The year 2024 will be a fun political year. Our presidential party primaries are right around the corner — March 5 to be exact.

Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve can be reached at www.steveflowers.us.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Rising political stars will make mark in 2024 | INSIDE THE STATEHOUSE