Jim Folsom, Jr.

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James E. Folsom, Jr.

James Elisha Folsom, Jr. (born 14 May, 1949) is an American Democratic politician who was the governor of Alabama from 1993 to 1995. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, he is the son of legendary two-term Alabama governor James E. "Big Jim" Folsom, Sr. Despite being well over six feet tall, he is popularly known as "Little Jim" as a result. In 1974, he graduated from Jacksonville State University, which he presently serves as a trustee. Folsom was elected to the Alabama Public Service Commission in 1978, and re-elected in 1982. In 1980 he defeated incumbent Donald W. Stewart in the Democratic Senate primary, but lost the general election to Republican Jeremiah Denton. He served as Alabama lieutenant governor from 1986 to 1993. He took over as governor from H. Guy Hunt when Hunt was removed from office when convicted of state ethics law violations with regard to funds involved in his second inauguration.

Only weeks after Folsom assumed office as Governor, state officials were approached by Mercedes-Benz about the possibility of locating its first manufacturing plant outside Germany in Alabama. Over the following months, Folsom led Alabama's efforts to recruit the facility, culminating in an October 1993 announcement that Alabama had beaten 30 other states for the coveted industry. The prestige of the Mercedes plant opened the door for future automotive plants to locate in the state. [link]

In 1994, he ran for governor but was defeated by former govenor Fob James. In 2006, Folsom reentered state politics, running again as the Democratic nominee for Lietenant Governor. He will face the winner of a Republican run-off election featuring Washington lobbyist Luther Strange and Public Service Commissioner George Wallace, Jr.

Folsom is married to the former Marsha Guthrie. They have two children. He is an Episcopalian, and is currently an investment banker with the firm of Raymond James & Associates.

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