Beth Chapman | |
---|---|
51st Alabama Secretary of State | |
In office 2007–2013 |
|
Governor |
Bob Riley Robert J. Bentley |
Preceded by | Nancy Worley |
Succeeded by | James R. Bennett |
38th Alabama State Auditor | |
In office 2003–2007 |
|
Preceded by | Susan Parker |
Succeeded by | Samantha Shaw |
Personal details | |
Born |
Greenville, Alabama |
April 6, 1962
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | James Chapman (1988-2011, his death) |
Children | 2 |
Residence | Hoover, Alabama & Montgomery, Alabama |
Alma mater | Fort Dale Academy University of Montevallo University of Alabama at Birmingham |
Beth Killough Chapman (born April 6, 1962) is an American politician from Alabama. A member of the Republican Party, she served as the state's 51st secretary of state from 2007 until she resigned on July 31, 2013 in order to accept a position with the Alabama Farmers Federation.
Beth Killough was born in Greenville, Alabama. Following graduation from Fort Dale Academy, she earned a B.S. from the University of Montevallo, and a master's degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 1988, she married James Chapman, with whom she has two sons, Winston Taylor Chapman (named in honor of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill) and William Thatcher Chapman (named in honor of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher). Her husband, James Chapman unexpectedly died on April 3, 2011, of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) at the age of 50. The family currently lives in Hoover, Alabama. Chapman also maintains a residence in Montgomery, Alabama.
From 1995 to 1996, she served as Appointments Secretary in the Cabinet of Governor Fob James, becoming the first woman to serve in that post. During the 2000 presidential election season, she served as a delegate pledged to George W. Bush at the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, and as a member of Alabama's delegation to the Electoral College later that year. Following a stint in the private sector, she served as Press Secretary for Lieutenant Governor Steve Windom from 2000 to 2001.
Resigning from Lt. Governor Windom's staff in November 2001, she entered the 2002 race for State Auditor, scoring an upset victory in the Republican primary, before goining on to win the general election, capturing a seat previously held by Democrat Susan Parker. She served as State Auditor of Alabama from 2003 to 2007. She was elected as Secretary of State in November 2006, defeating incumbent Nancy Worley by a margin of 57% to 43%. She assumed that office in January 2007. Chapman was mentioned as a possible candidate for Governor of Alabama in the 2010 election.