My personal memories on the life George McMillan upon hearing of his death

April 20, 2025 - The name George McMillan was first introduced to me during the 1986 Governor's race. Political names do not excite me the way they did back then, and all the candidates' names seemed so cool. Former Alabama Governor Fob James, Attorney General Charlie Graddick, and of course the candidate I ultimately went with, the incumbent lieutenant governor Bill Baxley, but that would not be the last time I heard the name McMillan.

Some people are born to be successful in whatever field they choose to go into. George McMillan became a success in several: attorney, politician, music event promoter, and media relations. I have a hunch George had presidential aspirations. He and his wife dined with President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn.

By that infamous year in Alabama political history that will forever be dubbed as the Baxley Graddick race, McMillan mounted his second candidacy to reach the governor's office, but his window of opportunity had closed. Four years earlier, McMillan had been nipped by George Wallace, who was seeking his fourth, fifth if you count his wife's term as surrogate, term as governor despite leading in public opinion polls and edging out the former governor in exit polls.

In private conversations, McMillan told me that the race was stolen from him. During a review of the ballots during the contested Baxley gubernatorial race, an auditor, while reviewing past election patterns, asked, "Who's George McMillan?" and then said, "You can tell him he won the 1982 governor's race. I know when they stole it, how they stole it, and where they stole it." I don't think George ever got over that race. In 1986, McMillan's campaign never caught fire, and after finishing a disappointing fourth in the "emocratic primary, he retired from politics.

After leaving office, George McMillan started McMillan and Associates along with promoting City Stages, an event In Birmingham that featured name entertainers. Not only did he do this in Birmingham, but he was also used throughout the Southeast. Just about every year, McMillan had bad luck with the weather, and the events got rained on. After the 2009 event, City Stages ceased in Birmingham. In the latter part of his career, he focused on McMillan Mediation.

The first time I talked to George was in the 1990 governor's race. Acting like a big shot at 12 years old, I called him and asked if he would like to run for lieutenant governor again. He laughed, said "God, no," and hung up the phone. Years later, I met George as a young man in my twenties. He liked the finer things in life, especially when it came to cuisine, and he visited some of the establishments I worked in.

We became friends. George helped secure me legal representation, and my attorney, John Wiley, got the case dismissed.

I kept up with George over the years. He gave me legal advice on occasion as well as political.

In 2022, I briefly considered challenging State Representative David Standridge for his seat, but George talked me out of it and suggested, along with a few others, that I write a blog. He said, "I could get my political fix and not get into the mess of politics." He gave me sound advice.

So I started a blog and became a political advisor. In the 2022 GOP runoff, I served as Chief Strategist for the Brent Woodall campaign, and I sought McMillan's insights. I then went to the campaign and said this is what we need to do. Though Mr. Woodall fell short, George's ideas did not.

(First reported https://www.tobsal.com/post/my-personal-memories-on-the-life-of-george-mcmillan-on-hearing-of-his-death

The last time I talked to Lt. Gov. McMillan occurred a little over a year ago. Infact I just thought of him a few days ago and thought I needed to give him a call. I wished I had thought of sooner.

George McMillan did not get to live in the governor's mansion, but he left his mark on Alabama. I am grateful to know him and glad to have called him my friend.

Christopher M Peeks

Reporter and Columnist

Alabama Political Contributor