George McMillan (politician)

George Duncan Hastie McMillan Jr. (October 11, 1943 – April 18, 2025) was an American Democratic politician who served as the 23rd lieutenant governor of Alabama from 1979 to 1983. In 1989, he founded the City Stages music festival in downtown Birmingham, Alabama.

George McMillan, Jr.
23rd Lieutenant Governor of Alabama
In office January 15, 1979 – January 17, 1983
Governor	Fob James
Preceded by	Jere Beasley
Succeeded by	Bill Baxley
Member of the Alabama Senate from the 11th[1] district
In office 1974–1978
Member of the Alabama House of Representatives
In office 1973–1973
Personal details
Born	George Duncan Hastie McMillan Jr. (1943-10-11)October 11, 1943 Greenville, Alabama, U.S.
Died	April 18, 2025(2025-04-18) (aged 81)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Ann Louise Dial
Children	2

Early life and education

McMillan was born in Greenville, Alabama. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Auburn University in 1966, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1969.^[2]

Political career

Legislative career

McMillan was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives and served for one term in 1973 for Jefferson County.^[3] He was then elected to the Alabama Senate in 1974, with his term lasting until 1978.^[4]

Lieutenant governor

McMillan was elected to the office of Lieutenant Governor of Alabama on November 7, 1978 under Governor Fob James.^[5][6]

Gubernatorial campaign

McMillan ran in the Democratic gubernatorial primary election in 1982, but was beaten by incumbent Governor George Wallace, coming in second place. A run-off election was held between McMillan and Wallace, which Wallace won, going on to win the general election against Republican Mayor Emory Folmar of Montgomery.^[7] He would have been considered a potential New South governor, if he had won the election.^[2]

Personal life and death

Starting in 1989, McMillan served as Birmingham Cultural and Heritage Foundation's President and Executive Producer, for 21 years.^[8]

McMillan founded the City Stages music festival in Birmingham, Alabama, which ran for two decades.^[9]

He was married to Ann Louise Dial and had two children with her, George D.H. McMillan III and Ann Dial Sims.^[10]

McMillan died from complications of surgery on April 18, 2025, at the age of 81.^[2] Governor Kay Ivey memorialized him as "a man of great ideas".^[11] Ivey also ordered the state flag to fly at half staff for McMillan once funeral arrangements could be made.^[12]