Democrat Doug Jones Launches Re-election Campaign
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.
Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor
Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor.
Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums
Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor
The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.
Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.
Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana
An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.
Bessemer City Council approves rezoning for a massive data center, dividing a community
After the Bessemer City Council voted 5-2 to rezone nearly 700 acres of agricultural land for the “hyperscale” server farm, a dissenting council member said city officials who signed non-disclosure agreements weren’t being transparent with citizens.
