Jeff Sessions Net Worth and Career
Jeff Sessions is an American politician and attorney with an estimated net worth of $5 million. He served as the U.S. Attorney General from 2017 to 2018 and was a U.S. Senator from Alabama from 1997 to 2017. Earlier in his career, he held positions as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama (1981–1993) and Alabama Attorney General (1994–1996).
Early Life and Education
Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III was born on December 24, 1946, in Selma, Alabama, to Jefferson Jr. and Abbie Sessions. Named after Confederate figures Jefferson Davis and P. G. T. Beauregard, he grew up in the South and attended Wilcox County High School in Camden, Alabama. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Huntingdon College in 1969 and a law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1973.
Legal and Early Political Career
In 1981, Sessions was nominated by President Ronald Reagan as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, a role he held until 1993. His tenure drew controversy, including criticism for cases involving alleged voter fraud where Black defendants were acquitted.
In 1986, Sessions was nominated for a federal judgeship, but the Senate Judiciary Committee rejected his nomination due to concerns over his civil rights record, making him one of the few federal judicial nominees in nearly 50 years to be denied confirmation.
Sessions later served as Alabama Attorney General from 1994 to 1996 before successfully running for U.S. Senate in 1996. He won reelection in 2002, 2008, and 2014 and was recognized as one of the Senate’s most conservative members. His voting record included opposition to major legislation like the Affordable Care Act, the Recovery Act, and immigration reform measures.
U.S. Attorney General
A longtime supporter of Donald Trump, Sessions was nominated as U.S. Attorney General in 2017 and confirmed by a narrow 52–47 Senate vote. His confirmation hearings were contentious due to his record on civil rights and prior contacts with Russian officials, which later led him to recuse himself from the Justice Department’s investigation into Russian election interference.
During his time as Attorney General, Sessions implemented stricter immigration policies, requested resignations from 46 U.S. attorneys, and oversaw the disbanding of the National Commission on Forensic Science. He was also involved in the events surrounding the dismissal of FBI Director James Comey. Sessions resigned in November 2018 at the request of President Trump, following disagreements over the Russia investigation.
Return to Politics
In 2019, Sessions sought to reclaim his former Senate seat. He advanced to a Republican primary runoff but lost to former Auburn University coach Tommy Tuberville, who had Trump’s endorsement.
Political Views
Sessions is known for his far-right conservative positions. He has opposed immigration reform, LGBTQ rights, climate change policies, affordable healthcare initiatives, and the legalization of marijuana.
Personal Life
Jeff Sessions married Mary Blackshear in 1969, and together they have three children. Throughout his career, he has maintained strong ties to Alabama and continues to be active in political circles while living a relatively private life.
