Daniel Boman

{{Short description|American politician}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Daniel H. Boman | image = | state_house = Alabama | state = Alabama | district = 16th | term_start = January 12, 2011 | term_end = January 12, 2015 | preceded = William Thigpen | succeeded = Kyle South | party = Republican (before 2011, 2018–present) | other_party = Democratic (2011–2018) | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|12|7}} | birth_place = Tupelo, Mississippi | death_date = | death_place = | alma_mater = Auburn University<br />Birmingham School of Law | profession = Attorney | spouse = Fallon Boman }}

'''Daniel Heath Boman''' (born December 7, 1974) is an American politician who served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing the 16th district from 2011 to 2015. Boman was elected as a Republican, but switched to the Democratic Party four months into his tenure. He was defeated by Republican Kyle South in November 2014. Since then, Boman has rejoined the Republican Party.

==Early life, education and law career== Daniel Heath Boman<ref name="TimesRecord" /> was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on December 7, 1974.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/121513/daniel-boman|title=Daniel Boman's Biography|work=Vote Smart|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> He received an A.A. degree from Bevill State Community College, a B.A. degree in psychology from Auburn University, and a J.D. degree from the Birmingham School of Law. He operated his own law practice, the Boman Firm, beginning in 2008,<ref name="TN2014">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/news/2014/10/22/gop-businessman-faces-democratic-incumbent-in-house-district-16-race/29940444007/|title=GOP businessman faces Democratic incumbent in House District 16 race|last=Seabol|first=Lydia|work=The Tuscaloosa News|date=October 22, 2014|access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> where he worked as a defense attorney.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/representatives/housebios/hd016.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523162811/http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/representatives/housebios/hd016.html|url-status=dead|title=Representative Daniel Boman Biography|publisher=Alabama House of Representatives|archive-date=May 23, 2012|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref>

==Alabama House of Representatives== Boman was elected to the state house as a Republican in the massive Republican wave that swept through the state in the 2010 elections. Boman defeated incumbent Democratic representative William Thigpen with 54% of the vote to Thigpen's 46%. At the time of Boman's victory, ''The Tuscaloosa News'' described the race as a "stunning upset".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/news/2010/11/03/gops-boman-upsets-incumbent-thigpen/28360712007/|title=GOP's Boman upsets incumbent Thigpen|last=DeWitt|first=Robert|work=The Tuscaloosa News|date=November 3, 2010|access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> During his tenure as state representative, Boman serves on the committees for the Judiciary, Ethics and Campaign Finance, and Tuscaloosa County Legislation.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/representatives/housebios/hd016.html |title=Welcome to the Alabama State Legislature |access-date=2012-01-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523162811/http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/representatives/housebios/hd016.html |archive-date=2012-05-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2011, Boman voted for an immigration reform law that was called "one of the toughest in the nation" by ''The Tuscaloosa News'', but later said he would not have voted for it in 2014.<ref name="Forum1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/news/2014/10/29/alabama-legislative-candidates-debate-education-lottery-at-tuscaloosa-forum-on-tuesday/29940379007/|title=Alabama legislative candidates debate education, lottery at Tuscaloosa forum on Tuesday|last=Enoch|first=Ed|work=The Tuscaloosa News|date=October 28, 2014|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref>

Boman attracted national attention in May 2011 when he switched parties and became a Democrat in protest of Republican support for an education bill.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/alabama-lawmaker-abandons-gop-over-teacher-rights-stripping-law.php?ref=fpblg |title=Alabama Lawmaker Abandons GOP Over New Law Aimed At Teachers |author=McMorris-Santoro, Evan |work=Talking Points Memo |date=May 26, 2011}}</ref> Opponents of the bill argued that it was unfair to teachers facing firing or other adverse action.<ref>{{cite news | title = State Rep. Boman switches to Democratic Party| newspaper = The Tuscaloosa News | date = May 26, 2011| url = http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20110526/NEWS/110529701/1007?tc=ar| accessdate = May 28, 2011}}</ref> In explaining his decision, Boman said: "During this current session I have seen this legislative body pass bills that I feel adversely affect what my people back home want, need, and deserve...I will never choose the Party over the people again."<ref>{{cite web | last = Shryock | first = John | title = Ala. GOP lawmaker flips parties; joins Democrats | publisher = WBRC | date = May 26, 2011 | url = http://www.myfoxal.com/story/14735443/member-of-ala-gop-flips-parties-joins-democrats | accessdate = May 28, 2011 | archive-date = July 21, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110721223022/http://www.myfoxal.com/story/14735443/member-of-ala-gop-flips-parties-joins-democrats | url-status = dead }}</ref> Boman continued to support education reform as a state representative; in March 2014, he spoke at a rally in support of a pay raise for teachers and bonuses for retired educators.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/wire/2014/03/education_retirees_employees_r.html|title=Education retirees, employees rally at Alabama State House, call for raises|last=Cason|first=Mike|work=AL.com|date=March 18, 2014|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref>

In March 2012, Boman submitted a satirical resolution in the legislature that made fun of efforts by House Republicans to create jobs, which the Alabama Education Association said would come at expense of funding to schools.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsfa.com/story/17085618/ala-house-resolution-money-will-grow-on-trees/|title=Ala. House resolution: money growing on trees|work=WSFA-12|date=March 6, 2012|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> The resolution made a joke claim that scientists could soon "grow money on trees". Blaine Galliher, the chair of the House Rules Committee, criticized Boman's resolution as "inappropriate and unprofessional".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2012/03/resolved-money-grows-on-trees-073646|title=Resolved: Money grows on trees|work=Politico|date=March 5, 2012|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref>

In June 2012, redistricting in the Alabama House of Representatives dramatically redrew the 16th district, which Boman represented, to include parts of four different counties. The Alabama Democratic Party accused Republicans on the reapportionment committee of changing the district to "punish" Boman for his party switch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/spotnews/2012/06/alabama_democrats_cry_foul_ove.html|title=Alabama Democrats cry foul over party switcher Daniel Boman's redrawn state House district|last=Chandler|first=Kim|work=AL.com|date=June 19, 2012|access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> Boman's district was one of the examples brought up in legal challenges against Alabama's 2012 redistricting process,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2014/11/alabama_democrats_take_redistr.html|title=Alabama Democrats take redistricting fight to the Supreme Court|last=Whitmire|first=Kyle|work=AL.com|date=November 5, 2014|access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> which eventually resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court case ''Alabama Legislative Black Caucus v. Alabama'', which ruled against the state of Alabama.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-votingrights/u-s-justices-weigh-racially-charged-alabama-redistricting-plan-idUSKCN0IW22G20141112/|title=U.S. justices weigh racially charged Alabama redistricting plan|last=Hurley|first=Lawrence|work=Reuters|date=November 12, 2014|access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/26/us/supreme-court-rules-against-alabama-in-redistricting-case.html|title=Supreme Court Rules Against Alabama in Redistricting Case|last=Liptak|first=Adam|work=The New York Times|date=March 26, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref>

In 2013, Boman opposed a bill that later passed creating a hotel and convention center in the Gulf State Park, on the grounds that it did not have enough oversight, with Boman stating, "I'm not willing to give the most valuable piece of property in this state to be controlled by so few people".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/wire/2013/02/gulf_state_park.html|title=Tourism committee approves bill for Gulf State Park hotel and convention center|last=Chandler|first=Kim|work=AL.com|date=February 27, 2013|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> Boman attempted to add an amendment to the bill that would prevent Governor Robert J. Bentley and his family, as well as other former governors and their families, from bidding on the construction of what would become The Lodge at Gulf State Park. However, the amendment did not pass, as other legislators thought attempts to amend the bill would cause it to be sent back to and fail in the Alabama Senate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/wire/2013/05/alabama_house_of_representativ_1.html|title=Alabama House of Representatives gives final passage to Gulf State Park hotel bill (updated)|last=Cason|first=Mike|work=AL.com|date=May 2, 2013|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref>

In the 2014 election cycle, Boman ran for reelection against Republican nominee Kyle South. During the election, Boman emphasized his work in attaining grants, especially for schools, in the 16th district, as well as his anti-abortion and gun rights stances.<ref name="TN2014" /> Boman and South participated in a debate hosted by the League of Women Voters at their candidate forum in October 2014.<ref name="Forum1" /> Boman was defeated by South in the general election, flipping the seat from Democratic to Republican control in a landslide result of South receiving 75% of the vote to Boman's 25%.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/news/2014/11/05/kyle-south-ousts-incumbent-dan-boman-in-house-district-16-race/29940801007/|title=Kyle South ousts incumbent Dan Boman in House District 16 race|last=Seabol|first=Lydia|work=The Tuscaloosa News|date=November 4, 2014|access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref>

==Other political activities== ===2012 Congressional election=== {{See also|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama#District 4}} While serving as state representative, Boman ran in the Democratic primary for {{ushr|Alabama|4}}, held by incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt in the 2012 congressional elections.<ref>{{cite news|first=Steve|last=Doyle|title=Congressman Robert Aderholt draws two last-minute Democratic challengers|url=http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/01/us_rep_robert_aderholt_draws_t.html|publisher=The Huntsville Times|date=2012-01-14|accessdate=2012-01-16}}</ref> Boman defeated Rick Neighbors in the Democratic primary and went on to face Aderholt in the general election.<ref name="WAFF2012">{{Cite web|url=https://www.waff.com/story/17151703/daniel-boman-wins-in-ala-4th-congressional-district/|title=Daniel Boman wins Democratic race for Ala. 4th Congressional District seat|work=WAFF-48|date=March 13, 2012|access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref>

Prior to the general election, Boman made a post on Facebook that implied Aderholt and his entire congressional staff were gay, though the post did not mention Aderholt by name. Boman initially defended the post, saying that his campaign staff "posed a hypothetical question".<ref name="AL2012">{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/breaking/2012/10/democrat_in_alabama_uses_faceb.html|title=Democrat in Alabama uses Facebook to imply GOP congressional opponent is gay|last=Stephens|first=Challen|work=AL.com|date=October 18, 2012|access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> At the time of the post, the ''Alabama Political Reporter'' called the incident "a new low in politics".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alreporter.com/2012/10/16/bowman-appears-to-accuse-aderholt-of-being-homosexual/|title=Bowman Appears to Accuse Aderholt of Being Homosexual|work=Alabama Political Reporter|date=October 16, 2012|access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref> Aderholt's campaign spokesman responded by saying "when someone is making a fool of himself, we hate to interrupt".<ref name="AL2012" /> Boman later told ''AL.com'' in 2023 that he regretted making the post, calling it a "horrible mistake" and stating that he had called Aderholt's office to apologize "a couple of years later".<ref name="CasonNov1823" />

Boman lost in the general election to Aderholt, who received 74% of the vote to Boman's 26% in a landslide result.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2012-election/alabama/house/4/|title=Alabama Congressional District 4 election results|work=NBC News|date=September 16, 2020|access-date=November 21, 2023}}</ref>

===2018 State Senate election=== Boman returned to the Republican Party in 2018<ref name="256today">{{Cite web|url=https://256today.com/costco-is-coming-seibert-for-mayor-and-more-in-this-weeks-otr/|title=Costco is coming; Seibert for Mayor? And more in this week's OTR|last=Alloway|first=A.B.|work=256 Today|date=November 17, 2023|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> and announced his intention to run as a Republican in the primary for the Alabama Senate's sixth district, challenging incumbent Larry Stutts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://franklinfreepress.net/news/details.cfm?clientid=38&id=260026#.WoRDzXxG2Uk|title=Stutts to face three challengers in Republican Primary {{!}} Franklin Free Press|work=Franklin Free Press|access-date=February 14, 2018}}</ref> Boman was removed from the ballot, as the Alabama Republican Party bylaws forbade any candidate who ran against a Republican in the last six years to be on the Republican ballot.<ref name="256today" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aldailynews.com/15281-2/|title=Daily News Digest – February 22, 2018|last=Stacy|first=Todd|work=Alabama Daily News|date=February 22, 2018|access-date=November 12, 2023}}</ref>

===2024 Congressional election=== In the 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in Alabama, Boman launched a candidacy in the Republican primary for {{ushr|Alabama|5}}, challenging incumbent representative Dale Strong.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://1819news.com/news/item/21-candidates-qualify-for-congressional-district-2-including-former-alabama-and-nfl-defensive-end-wallace-gilberry|title=21 candidates qualify for congressional District 2 including former Alabama and NFL defensive end Wallace Gilberry|last=Taylor|first=Caleb|work=1819 News|date=November 11, 2023|access-date=November 12, 2023}}</ref> Although Boman lives outside of the fifth congressional district, candidates are not required to be residents of their district.<ref name="256today" /> Boman faced a ballot challenge from within the Alabama Republican Party for this election, which was adjudicated by the party's Candidate Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://1819news.com/news/item/al-5-gop-hopeful-daniel-boman-facing-legal-algop-ballot-challenges|title=AL-5 GOP hopeful Daniel Boman facing legal, ALGOP ballot challenges|last=Cox|first=Bradley|work=1819 News|date=November 20, 2023|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> Boman was officially removed from the ballot in December 2023.<ref name="ALBoman">{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2023/12/alabama-gop-removes-candidate-daniel-boman-from-ballot-in-5th-district.html|title=Alabama GOP removes candidate Daniel Boman from ballot in 5th District|last=Cason|first=Mike|work=AL.com|date=December 11, 2023|access-date=December 12, 2023}}</ref>

==Legal issues and disbarment== After his tenure in the Alabama House of Representatives, Boman was placed on an interim suspension by the Alabama State Bar in 2018.<ref name="Bar2019">{{Cite web|url=https://www.alabar.org/assets/2019/05/2019-May-AL-Lawyer.pdf|title=Disciplinary Notices|work=The Alabama Lawyer|publisher=Alabama State Bar|date=May 2019|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> After Boman sued Samsung in the small claims court of Marion County, Alabama, it was revealed that Boman had engaged in a phone call with Samsung customer service in which he used a racial slur and misogynistic language, in addition to making a threat against a Samsung customer service representative.<ref name="CasonNov2223">{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2023/11/gop-congressional-candidate-was-suspended-by-alabama-bar-for-racist-misogynistic-phone-call.html|title=GOP congressional candidate was suspended by Alabama Bar for 'racist, misogynistic' phone call|last=Cason|first=Mike|work=AL.com|date=November 21, 2023|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> The incident eventually led to Boman being suspended from practicing law for two years in 2019.<ref name="CasonNov2223" /> Boman was initially required to serve only 90 days of the suspension, and was placed on probation for the rest of the suspension period, due to the time served during the interim suspension in 2018.<ref name="Bar2019" /> Boman later expressed regret for the incident and apologized, saying that he did not hold racist or sexist views.<ref name="CasonNov2223" />

However, in January 2020, the Disciplinary Commission of the state bar revoked Boman's probation.<ref name="Bar2021">{{Cite web|url=https://www.alabar.org/assets/2021/05/May-2021-Web-Version-1.pdf|title=Disbarments|work=The Alabama Lawyer|date=May 2021|publisher=Alabama State Bar|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> In June 2020, Boman was arrested in Lamar County, Alabama, on charges of theft, stemming from allegations that he had used $140,000 from an estate for his own personal use.<ref name="TimesRecord">{{Cite web|url=https://mytrpaper.com/node/3662|title=Former representative arrested for theft|work=The Times-Record|date=June 24, 2020|access-date=November 12, 2023}}</ref> Boman was fully disbarred that year, which he said was related to the theft case. Boman was indicted in November 2021 and pled not guilty to the charges in April 2022; the case is still pending as of November 2023.<ref name="CasonNov1823">{{Cite web|url=https://www.al.com/news/2023/11/alabama-gop-congressional-candidate-facing-theft-charge.html|title=Alabama GOP congressional candidate facing theft charge|last=Cason|first=Mike|work=AL.com|date=November 18, 2023|access-date=November 18, 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life== Boman is married to his wife Fallon Boman; the couple have three children together.<ref name="WAFF2012" /> Boman was a resident of Sulligent, Alabama, during his time in the Alabama House of Representatives.<ref name="TN2014" /> Boman resided in Winfield, Alabama, by 2020.<ref name="CasonNov1823" />

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120523162811/http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/representatives/housebios/hd016.html Representative Daniel Boman] at the Alabama House of Representatives *[https://www.facebook.com/BomanForCongress Daniel Boman for Congress] official campaign website * {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=121513 | fec= | congress= }} *[https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=AL04&cycle=2012 Campaign contributions] at OpenSecrets.org

{{DEFAULTSORT:Boman, Daniel}} Category:Living people Category:Republican Party members of the Alabama House of Representatives Category:1974 births Category:People from Sulligent, Alabama Category:Democratic Party members of the Alabama House of Representatives Category:21st-century members of the Alabama Legislature Category:Bevill State Community College alumni