Marsh remains State Senate President Pro Tem

Senate pro tem Del Marsh

Republican Sen. Greg Reed of Jasper is the new majority leader of the Alabama Senate.

The newly elected Republican members of the Senate met in Montgomery on Wednesday to back Sen. Del Marsh of Anniston for another term as the Senate's president pro tem and to elect Reed as majority leader.

He replaces Sen. Jabo Waggoner of Vestavia Hills. Waggoner said he recommended Reed for the job because he has his hands full as chairman of the Rules Committee and Confirmations Committee.

Marsh said Waggoner could have had another four-year term as majority leader if he wanted it, but Waggoner wanted to share his responsibilities with other senators.

Reed said he's excited to lead the largest Republican majority in modern times. Republicans won more than 70 percent of the seats.