Rodger Mell Smitherman (born March 2, 1953) is a Democratic member of the Alabama Senate, representing the 18th District since 1995. He is also a member of the Alabama Sentencing Commission.Senator Smitherman was elected President Pro Tempore of the Alabama Senate on February 5, 2009. He is a graduate of the University of Montevallo and Miles Law School.Senator Smitherman's wife is current judge, former Birmingham City Councilor, and former Birmingham Mayor Carole Smitherman.