Former Alabama Democratic chair Redding Pitt dies

Redding Pitt, a former U.S. Attorney in Alabama who chaired the Alabama Democratic Party for four years, has died. He was 71 years old.

A cause of death was not immediately available.

"He was a loyal friend and law partner," said Ken Riley, Pitt's law partner at Farris, Riley and Pitt, in a phone interview Monday afternoon. "He was loved by everyone at our firm. The effects of his loss are far-reaching and extend beyond the borders of Alabama. He was an extraordinary statesman, an extraordinary person and statesman."

Pitt served as U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama from 1994 to 2001. He served as chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party from 2001 to 2005.

A native of the Tennessee Valley in north Alabama, Pitt got his bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama and his law degree from the Boston College School of Law. Prior to law school, Pitt served in the Army and spent a year in Vietnam, where he won the Bronze Star.

After serving in different capacities in Washington, Pitt returned to Alabama in 1981, serving in the attorney general's office until 1994. U.S. President Bill Clinton nominated him to be U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama that year, and Pitt served until Clinton left office in 2001. During his time as a federal prosecutor, Pitt's office led or participated in investigations that resulted in felony convictions for four allies of former Gov. Jim Folsom, Jr., a Democrat. The governor himself was subjected to a lengthy investigation but never charged.

After stepping down as federal prosecutor, Pitt joined Ferris, Riley and Pitt.

With the backing of then-Gov. Don Siegelman, a longtime friend and ally, Pitt became chairman of the party in 2001, promising to "water the grassroots" for the Democrats. Though Siegelman narrowly lost his bid for re-election the following year, the Democratic Party otherwise did well in the 2002 elections, and Pitt was elected to a full term as chairman in 2003. He stepped down in 2005 after a disappointing showing by state Democrats in the 2004 elections.

Alabama Democratic Conference chairman Joe Reed, a longtime power in the party, said Monday that Pitt was a "straight shooter" with a wealth of knowledge who worked to achieve party harmony.

"He was a good and fair man," Reed said. "He believed in the Democratic Party, he worked for the Democratic Party, and he thought all of us were children of God. He believed in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man."

Former State Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, said Pitt worked hard on securing the party's finances and building its organization throughout the state.

"I always found Redding to be a thoughtful man of his word," he said. "He was active in politics all my life, and was someone who was good to work with. He had the best interests of Alabama at heart."

Alabama Democratic Party chairwoman Nancy Worley said in a statement that Pitt was "a scholar of history and politics, and a strong supporter of the Democratic Party's core principles."

Riley said Pitt was asked "probably on a weekly basis" for political advice.

"I can’t tell you the number of politicians who came through our doors just to pick his brain," he said. "He certainly taught me about everything I know about politics. He had his own beliefs, but he wasn’t an extremely partisan person."

Riley said in his professional life, much of Pitt's achievements were in confidential cases, and that many of his proudest times were "ones nobody knew about."

"He didn’t require the notoriety and didn’t get a lot of notoriety in his accomplishments," Riley said. "A lot of people aren’t aware of the legal mountains he climbed."

Among more notable cases, Pitt served on Siegelman's defense team in the former governor's 2006 trial on corruption charges. He returned as vice-chairman of the Democratic Party in 2013.

"You could always get an objective answer from him," Reed said. "He would tell you what he thought, and he is a person we will all miss. Finding a replacement for him will not be easy."

Survivors include a son, William, and two stepchildren. Funeral arrangements were not immediately available.