How Trump Factors into Jeff Sessions’ Senate Run
7:24 pm – This story and headline have been updated to reflect Sessions’ confirmed plans to run for U.S. Senate.
Former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions joins a long list of Republicans who want to be Alabama’s next U.S. Senator.
Already on the list is Congressman Bradley Byrne, former Auburn Coach Tommy Tuberville, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, State Rep. Arnold Mooney and businessman Stanley Adair. But Sessions’ bid will be a major shift for this crowded Republican primary.
He steps onto the field with some major advantages – statewide name recognition, a political record that appeals to conservatives, $2.5 million in leftover campaign funds and the connections to raise more money. But Fred Shepherd, a political science professor at Samford University, says there’s a big potential weakness.
“His problematic relationship with none other than the president of the United States will be a big factor in all of this,” Shepherd says.
President Donald Trump has publicly berated Sessions for recusing himself from Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation, going so far as to say that picking Sessions as attorney general was his “biggest mistake.”
Why is A.G. Jeff Sessions asking the Inspector General to investigate potentially massive FISA abuse. Will take forever, has no prosecutorial power and already late with reports on Comey etc. Isn’t the I.G. an Obama guy? Why not use Justice Department lawyers? DISGRACEFUL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2018
But Trump is popular in Alabama, and while Sessions has said he still supports the president, UAB political scientist Angela Lewis says dealing with the Trump issue will be critical.
“In order for him to have a good shot at winning the nomination in the state of Alabama, he has to make peace with the Republican Party and the president. Now whether or not that’s possible, I don’t know,” Lewis says.
But even with political bruising, there’s still plenty of love for Sessions in Alabama, including from U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby and fellow Republican voters.
Sen. Richard Shelby endorses his former Alabama Senate colleague, Jeff Sessions, for an expected 2020 Senate bid pic.twitter.com/FBBGnMU6yv
— Roll Call (@rollcall) November 7, 2019
“I’m a Republican. Jeff Sessions has done a lot for the state and everybody, so I’m a big fan of Jeff Sessions,” says Austin Brower, an Alabama resident.
The winner of the Republican Primary will take on incumbent Democratic Sen. Doug Jones. But political observers say Jones faces a steep climb in winning reelection.
Lori Owens, a political scientist at Jacksonville State University, says Sessions entering the race isn’t necessarily good for Jones, but it could muddy the Republican field.
“So I imagine they are nervous about how this might split the vote in the primary and in the runoff. And does that open the door for Doug Jones to win a full term,” Owens says.
Republican primary voters will have their say on March 3rd.
Venezuela approves amnesty that may release of hundreds detained for political reasons
Venezuela's acting president has signed into law an amnesty bill that could lead to the release of politicians, activists, lawyers and many others. The approval marks a stark turn for the nation.
In a historic vote, Tennessee Volkswagen workers get their first union contract
Two years ago, the successful union drive at this plant was expected to spark victories throughout the South. But now, as members vote to make their contract official, momentum has fizzled.
NASA chief blasts Boeing, space agency for failed Starliner astronaut mission
NASA's Jared Isaacman slammed Boeing for failures with its Starliner spacecraft, which was deemed unsafe to return its crew of two astronauts from the International Space Station
Internal memo details cosmetic changes and facility repairs to Kennedy Center
Trump announced his plans to close the Kennedy Center entirely for two years "for Construction, Revitalization, and Complete Rebuilding." The announcement came after many prominent artists canceled existing scheduled appearances.
R&B stars consider two ways to serve an audience
Two albums released the same day — Jill Scott's return from a long absence, and Brent Faiyaz's play for a mid-career pivot — offer opposing visions of artistic advancement in the genre.
Baby chicks link certain sounds with shapes, just like humans do
A surprising new study shows that baby chickens react the same way that humans do when tested for something called the "bouba-kiki effect," which has been linked to the emergence of language.
