19 Facts About Goodloe Sutton

Howard Goodloe Sutton was an American newspaper editor, publisher, and owner.

Howard Goodloe Sutton was born in Alabama on January 31,1939, the son of Robert E Sutton and Lorie Chrietzburg Sutton.

Goodloe Sutton's father was the editor of The Democrat-Reporter newspaper and bought it in 1917.

Goodloe Sutton graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi and was editor of the school's student newspaper, Student Printz.

Goodloe Sutton returned to his hometown and purchased The Democrat-Reporter from his father in 1964, taking over as editor and publisher.

Jean died in 2003 after complications related to cancer, leaving Goodloe Sutton feeling "like a zombie" and not knowing "what to do", for several years afterwards.

In 1998, Goodloe Sutton received widespread acclaim for articles exposing corruption in the Marengo County Sheriff's Office; he always credited his wife, Jean, "with laboring over courthouse records".

Goodloe Sutton received death threats and lost circulation and $50,000 per year in advertising in his newspaper; a local church official told him to "lay off the sheriff".

Goodloe Sutton was inducted in 2007 into the University of Southern Mississippi's School of Mass Communication and Journalism Hall of Fame.

Goodloe Sutton had run for office in Alabama's 7th congressional district as a Democrat in 1978, losing in the primary.

Goodloe Sutton was a registered Republican from at least the time of his most recent run for public office.

Alabama political reporter Chip Brownlee noticed and reprinted an editorial Goodloe Sutton published in the February 14,2019, issue of his newspaper.

Goodloe Sutton's editorial was criticized by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, both of Alabama's US Senators, and numerous other public figures, many of whom called on Goodloe Sutton to resign.

Auburn University's Journalism Advisory Council rescinded the Distinguished Community Journalist Award Goodloe Sutton had received in 2009.

The Alabama Press Association censured Goodloe Sutton, saying he "brought disgrace upon newspapers in Alabama and the profession," and suspended The Democrat-Reporter's membership in the organization.

Goodloe Sutton responded to the criticism by saying that he was not sorry that he wrote the editorial, and that he would do it again if he had the chance.

Goodloe Sutton stepped down after a few weeks, because of "continuing interference from the editor she was meant to replace".

On July 1,2019, Goodloe Sutton sold The Democrat-Reporter and retired.

Goodloe Sutton died at his home in Marengo County, Alabama, on September 22,2023, at the age of 84.