Rodger Mell Smitherman is a Democrat representing District 18 in the Alabama State Senate since 1994. A practicing attorney with Smitherman and Smitherman since 1989, he resides in Birmingham with his wife Carole and has four children and six grandchildren. He serves as an elder at More Than Conquerors Faith Church and is active in youth sports, coaching basketball and mentoring golfers through programs like First Tee and LPGA girls golf.

Notable achievements include serving as President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate , past president of the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus, and ranking minority member on committees such as Transportation, Banking and Insurance, Education Policy, and Finance and Taxation. He has championed education, senior citizen programs, job creation, and local funding, including a 2023 bill protecting nonprofit donor privacy signed by Governor Kay Ivey.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Business Administration from University of Montevallo; Juris Doctorate from Miles Law School.
• Political Experience: Elected to Alabama Senate District 18 in 1994 ; Minority Whip; key roles on committees including Judiciary, Education, and Finance and Taxation; member of Alabama Sentencing Commission.