| Eric Major | |
| State House: | Alabama |
| District: | 55th |
| Term Start: | January 3, 1999 |
| Term End: | January 3, 2007 |
| Predecessor: | Warren Minnifield |
| Successor: | Rod Scott |
| Party: | Democratic |
| Education: | University of Alabama at Birmingham (B.S.) |
Eric Major (born April 6, 1968) is an American politician and educator from the state of Alabama. A member of the Democratic Party, Major served in the Alabama House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007.
Major owns a public affairs consulting firm and has also worked as a business development and government relations consultant.[1]
Major first ran for the Alabama House in 1994, challenging incumbent Warren Minnifield in the Democratic primary. Major forced Minnifield into a runoff, but lost by a 51–49 margin. Major challenged Minnifield again in 1998, and again the two went to a primary runoff; this time, Major prevailed by a 54–46 margin, going on to win the general election. Major was re-elected in 2002 but lost his bid for a third term in 2006, suffering a 54–46 defeat against Rod Scott in the Democratic primary runoff. After leaving office, Major mounted unsuccessful bids for several offices, including state senate, Jefferson County Treasurer, and Jefferson County Commission.[2]
In 2004, Major was arrested on charges of physically assaulting his ex-fiancée. He was eventually acquitted on the charges. Major sued the city of Birmingham, alleging that his civil rights were violated by the arrest. A judge ruled in his favor, awarding him a $500,000 settlement. Major claimed the domestic abuse allegations were orchestrated by his political rivals.[3]