Alabama GOP Gov. Robert Bentley
Republican Gov. Robert Bentley won a second term in a landslide just last fall, but unpleasant matters stemming from his personal have now threatened his tenure, and it's possible he might not complete his term. It began late last month, when First Lady Dianne Bentley, the governor's wife of 50 years, filed for divorce, a move that came
as a complete surprise to Alabama's political establishment. After a judge granted the parties' motion
to seal the proceedings, rumors began to fly that the governor improperly used state resources to conceal an affair with
a top political advisor.
Two GOP state representatives have now asked Attorney General Luther Strange to investigate whether Bentley misused his office, particularly with regard to state-owned aircraft. (Using state planes for personal travel was one of the key things Mark Sanford was nailed for.) Additionally, Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey is reportedly already making plans for a transition, though we can't say whether she's just being circumspect or is actually trying to pressure Bentley to leave. Bentley has denied misusing public resources, but he's refused to answer any questions about his divorce.
At this point, what we don't know exceeds what we do know, and Bentley has given no indication that he's looking for an exit. But he doesn't have a great relationship with the GOP-dominated state legislature, whom he's feuded with as he's tried to raise taxes. As we saw in Oregon earlier this year when now-ex Gov. John Kitzhaber abruptly fell from power in a blazing flash, a governor's relationship with powerful members of his own party can make all the difference when a scandal hits. This situation in Alabama may well come down to nothing, but especially after Kitzhaber's quick collapse, it bears watching.
