State Sen. Jabo Waggoner (R-Vestavia Hills) is set to have his biography published later this year, but he remains one of the most active and well-connected members of the Senate. Author and columnist Steve Flowers' upcoming book, “Jabo Waggoner: An Alabama Political Legend,” is in the final stages of the publication process. Previous Book “Goats and Governors,” a compilation of some of the most iconic political stories in state history, has been in circulation for nearly a decade now.

Flowers' upcoming book details the history-defining career of Alabama's longest-serving state legislator and how he never slowed down.

This book covers Jabo Waggoner's political career, which spanned more than 50 years in the Alabama Legislature. It features tributes from current and former Senators, Representatives, the Governor of Alabama, nearly every state constitutional officer, and other luminaries from state politics, past and present. It also details important legislation passed by Waggoner, such as the acquisition of 33 acres of land for the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1975, which Waggoner considers his most notable legislative achievement.

Related: Flowers: Jabo Waggoner – Political symbol

Today, Waggoner still handles most of the local members' bills in the House of Representatives and remains the go-to sponsor when Alabama agencies and departments need legislative action.

Workforce development, distracted driving/hands-free bills and salvaging the institutional legacy of Birmingham-Southern College have all been part of the senior senator’s agenda over the past two legislative sessions. He is an outspoken member, chairs the Rules Committee and has influence in setting the agenda in the Senate.

Lobbyists and lawmakers alike know his approval is essential to passing any bill, and because of the demographic he represents, it's no exaggeration to say he has the most important constituency in the entire state.

One Alabama legislative source said, “Jaybo still has it. This year he had one of his best sessions ever. He successfully advanced an Innovation District bill that was declared dead by everyone but him, and he even secured alcohol sales at Smith Lake, an outcome I never thought I'd see.”

“Remarkably, he has done all this without seeking fame or fanfare. His reforms have transformed the Birmingham Water Board, and now the chairman is using those changes to instill accountability to the public trust. Jabot truly embodies tactful, strong governance at the very highest level.”

Flowers' book, “Jabo Waggoner: An Alabama Political Legend,” went into printing on July 1, with an official release date expected by September 30, 2024. The publisher is New South Books (now the University of Georgia Press).

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. Grayson