The GOP Take: Why Roy Moore Lost His Senate Bid
Republicans across Alabama woke up in a state of shock Wednesday morning over Democrat Doug Jones’ stunning defeat of GOP candidate Roy Moore. A strong 40 percent turnout – much higher than state projections – was key to Jones’ victory, Republican strategist Jeff Vreeland said.
Jones also won solid support in urban areas and saw much support from African-American voters helped him beat Moore by 1.5 percentage points.
But as of Wednesday morning, Moore didn’t concede defeat. That’s not surprising to Republican strategist Jeff Vreeland. Nor is the idea that the 70-year-old Moore would stay politically active “I wouldn’t never count Roy Moore out of running for any office just because that’s who Roy Moore is,” he said. But running on the Alabama GOP ticket might be tough, Vreeland says, because Moore’s burned a lot of bridges.
Moore ran for governor twice and lost, and he was removed twice from the Alabama Supreme Court for refusing to comply with federal court rulings – first on removing a Ten Commandments monument form the Alabama Judicial Building and again for refusing to acknowledge same-sex marriage.
Moore’s volatility has long rubbed some Alabama Republicans the wrong way, Vreeland says. “But Republican politics is Republican politics in Alabama and people wanted a Republican in this office, and they’re waking up to a U.S. Senator who is part of the Democratic party.”
Vreeland says many Republicans sat out the election and thousands wrote in a candidate of their choice rather than cast a vote for Jones, a Democrat.
The tipping point for many Republicans centered on allegations of sexual misconduct Moore faced in recent weeks. Several women beginning last month said Moore had either sexually harassed or assaulted them. The incidents mostly involved teenage girls when Moore was in his 30’s.
“I think there’s a lot of relief in general for America, just not having to deal with another allegation in the United States Senate,” he said.
Secretary of State John Merrill said military ballots will be counted over the next week, and write-in ballots will be reviewed. He said he would certify the final vote tally between Dec. 26 and Jan. 3.
How Alabama Power kept bills up and opposition out to become one of the most powerful utilities in the country
In one of the poorest states in America, the local utility earns massive profits producing dirty energy with almost no pushback from state regulators.
No more Elmo? APT could cut ties with PBS
The board that oversees Alabama Public Television is considering disaffiliating from PBS, ending a 55-year relationship.
Nonprofit erases millions in medical debt across Gulf South, says it’s ‘Band-Aid’ for real issue
Undue Medical Debt has paid off more than $299 million in medical debts in Alabama. Now, the nonprofit warns that the issue could soon get worse.
Roy Wood Jr. on his father, his son and his new book
Actor, comedian and writer Roy Wood Jr. is out with a new book -- "The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir." He writes about his experience growing up in Birmingham, losing his dad as a teenager and all the lessons he learned from various father figures throughout his career.
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
