By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY—Thursday, January 12, 2017, suspended Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) told WIAT that he will accept Governor Robert Bentley’s appointment to the United States Senate, should he be chosen.
“I would be honored to accept such a position, if offered,” Moore said. “I think that I have the qualifications for such. I know the Constitution. I understand the Constitution, the role of the courts in the Constitution, and the role of the Legislature in the Constitution. I think this is a time in my life where, perhaps, I am ready for that.”
The Chief Justice said that a lot of people have urged him to run for Senator and for Governor, but Moore would not commit to which office he would run for. “I am here to serve the people,” Moore said.
Moore is appealing his suspension from the bench by the Court of the Judiciary. He has denied any wrongdoing and stated that some judges, “Don’t like the truth sometimes. Same sex marriage is not in the Constitution.
“Trying to make the Constitution fit their own agenda is not right.”
Moore said that if elected Governor, the first thing he would do is acknowledge God.
Reforming the Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) and the Court of the Judiciary (COJ) is expected to be one issue facing the legislature when it returns on February 7. Moore is the person most recommended for the office by the 550 members of the Republican State Executive Committee after Bentley asked the body for their advice.
The suspended Chief Justice is just one of twenty candidates that were interviewed by Bentley for the post, which will become available if Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions is confirmed as Attorney General.
Bentley has also interviewed:
US Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville)
Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh (R-Anniston)
Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur)
Sen. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster)
State Representative Bill Poole (R-Tuscaloosa)
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange (R)
Sen. Bill Hightower (R-Mobile)
State Rep. Connie Rowe (R-Jasper)
ADECA Head Jim Byard
Sen. Trip Pittman (R-Montrose)
US Rep. Martha Roby (R-Montgomery)
US Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover)
Sen. Greg Reed (R-Jasper)
Tim James (R)
Sen. Phil Williams (R-Rainbow City)
State Revenue Commission Julie Magee
US Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville).
Attorney General Luther Strange has announced that he will run for the Senate in the Special Election whether he is appointed by the Governor or not. Strange has already raised over $340,000 for a 2018 Senate run.
Ron Crumpton, who was defeated by Sen. Richard Shelby in 2016 general election, is the first Democrat to declare their candidacy for the Senate seat.
