By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Wednesday, April 26, 2017, the Alabama Democratic Party will open qualifying for the Special Primary Election to fill the US Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions at 9:00 AM today.
Alabama Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy Worley said, “Democrats in Alabama have an excellent opportunity to fill this Republican-held seat,” which was created by the resignation of former US Senator Jeff Sessions after he was confirmed to by US Attorney General by the Senate.
Chairwoman Worley said, “The Alabama Democratic Party is excited to win back this seat and elect someone who will represent Alabama’s working families with integrity and accountability.”
2016 Senatorial candidate Ron Crumpton (who lost to Sen. Richard Shelby) has already announced that he is running for the office. Crumpton said, “The people of Alabama deserve a Senator who will represent the people, not one who was appointed through the Montgomery “good ole boy” network. Crumpton is a marijuana legalization activist. He also ran for state Senate in 2014.
Political activist Gary Johnson from Mobile, told A Different Report’s Andy Phillips that he would like to run for the seat, but is weighing all options, and gathering many opinions from family and friends. Mr. Johnson also acknowledged that it won’t be an easy task, especially being a Democrat right for him or any Democrat to run for the seat currently held by Sen. Luther Strange?
Johnson told Phillips that this is the time for Democrats to challenge Republicans: “Yes, Yes, Yes, the time is now. You have corruption after corruption coming out of Montgomery, and the people of Alabama needs and deserves real, and fair leadership. Alabamians deserves someone who will represent them regardless of where they come from, and what party they are aligned with. It’s about the people, and their values.”
State Representative Christopher John England (D-Tuscaloosa) is also considering running for Senate. A number of Democrats have encouraged England to run. Rep. England said, “Thank you for all the support and votes of confidence today. I was not expecting it. It is both overwhelming and humbling. I really appreciate it.” England is an attorney and former prosecutor.
On Tuesday, The Alabama Political Reporter asked England if he was running for Senate. England said, “that is a loaded question,” and did not elaborate further.
Whoever wins the Democratic Primary on August 15th will face a Republican opponent.
US Senator Luther Strange (who was appointed to fill the seat by former Governor Robert Bentely), State Representative Ed Henry (R-Hartselle), and former Christian Coalition President Randy Brinson have all announced their candidacies.
Suspend Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Roy Moore will announce whether he is running or not today at a 1:30 pm event on the Capitol steps.
On Tuesday, Senate President Del Marsh (R-Anniston) told reporters that he has made his decision on whether he will run for Senate or not; but declined to make an announcement today.
Trump Alabmaa co-Chairman and former State Representative Perry O Hooper Jr. has formed an exploratory committee to consider whether or not he should run for the office.
A number of other Republicans are rumoured to be considering entering the race.
Chairwoman Worley said that any interested registered Alabama voter may call the Party office at (334) 262-2221 to get qualifying forms. An interested person may also print a qualifying form, located on the Democratic Party’s website:
aldemocrats.org/resource/candidate_qualifying.
The qualifying fee is $3480.
State Chairwoman Nancy Worley is encouraging interested Democrats to respond quickly.
All qualifying papers, along with the fee, must be received in the State Party Office by Wednesday, May 17, 2016, at 5:00 PM. A candidate may hand deliver qualifying forms to the Alabama Democratic Party Office, 501 Adams Ave, Montgomery, AL 36104, or he/she may mail the form to the Alabama Democratic Party, P.O. Box 950, Montgomery, AL 36101.
Republican qualifying began on Monday.
The Special General Election will be on December 12, 2017.
The Republicans only have a two-vote margin in the US Senate so if a Democrat could take this seat in the Special Election it would make it much harder for Republicans to get anything done in the Senate.
