Democrat Doug Jones Launches Re-election Campaign

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2019/09/IMG_4547.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:640;s:6:"height";i:480;s:4:"file";s:20:"2019/09/IMG_4547.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:8:{s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_4547-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_4547-336x252.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:252;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"IMG_4547-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_4547-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_4547-300x300.jpg";s:5:"width";i:300;s:6:"height";i:300;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_4547-415x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:415;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_4547-353x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:353;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_4547-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:11:{s:8:"aperture";d:1.8;s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:8:"iPhone 8";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";i:1567957628;s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:4:"3.99";s:3:"iso";s:2:"64";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:17:"0.066666666666667";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";i:1;}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 0
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => error
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"sizes";a:1:{s:4:"full";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:37:"The backup directory is not writable.";}}s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:0;s:14:"optimized_size";i:0;s:7:"percent";i:0;}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Sherrel Wheeler Stewart, WBHM
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1657387012 
1567981668

Doug Jones is considered the most endangered Democrat in the Senate. He’s a target for Republicans in the 2020 election who want the seat back. He launched his re-election campaign Sunday, challenging voters to look at his record instead of the labels cast on him by his opponents.

In 2017, Jones became Alabama’s first Democratic Senator in more than two decades. He upset Republican conservative Roy Moore in a defeat observed around the world.

Speaking to a crowd at the B&A Warehouse, Jones talked about his “One Alabama” theme of unity in the state. “There is more that unites us than what divides us,” he says.

Jones told supporters he will win again in 2020, but it won’t be easy.

“Don’t get me wrong. I know that election was close. I get it,” Jones says. “And I’m not foolish enough to think that this one won’t be close as well. It is.”

Jones ticked off a list of accomplishments, including funding for rural WiFi and getting more money for historically black colleges and universities. He says he made some of those things happen by working with politicians across the aisle.

That’s one thing that caught the attention of retired lawyer Mike Weathers, who drove from Florence to attend the event.

“I think he has certainly, already, in the short period of time he’s been in the Senate demonstrated his ability to try to work with the folks on the other side of the aisle,” Weathers says.

Carole Marks, chair of the Shelby County Democrats, says for Jones to be re-elected, black and white Democrats have to work together.

“We have to get them motivated to go to the polls,” she says.

On the Republican side, Roy Moore, U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville, and Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill are among those running for the seat.

 

U.S. measles cases hit highest level in 33 years, CDC reports

The U.S. has hit an unwelcome milestone in measles cases this year. The CDC is reporting 1,288 cases across the country. The disease was declared eliminated 25 years ago.

10 songs that were hyperpop before the subgenre was born

To commemorate 10 years of SOPHIE's debut, World Cafe put together a mix of "proto-hyperpop" tracks.

What’s on the table for the 5 African Presidents meeting Trump at the White House?

President Trump is hosting 5 African leaders in Washington this week — a mini summit that's raising eyebrows over who was invited, what's on the table, and what it signals about U.S. rivalry with China and BRICS in Africa.

Sean Combs’ sentencing date is set

Last week, a federal jury in Manhattan found Combs guilty of two counts of transportation for prostitution while acquitting him on more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy.

A battle is unfolding in Europe over the future of wolves

Europe recently downgraded the protected status of wolves, sparking concern among conservationists who warn this may undo decades of progress and lead to the species becoming threatened again.

Greetings from Damascus, Syria, where a crowded bar welcomed post-Assad revelers

Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.

More Elections 2020 Coverage