By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Monday, April 24, 2017, the race for US Senate got more crowded as Randy Brinson announced that he was leaving his position as head of the Christian Coalition in order to run for the US Senate vacancy created when Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) stepped down after he was confirmed by the Senate as President Trump’s US Attorney General.
Brinson said in a statement, “As President of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, and founder and chairman of Redeem The Vote, I believe we have been successful in helping shape the moral direction of our State and more importantly, speaking out about corruption and illegal activity that has led to the resignation and conviction of many of our elected leaders. Working with these groups has given me insight into how frustrated voters are with the corruption, self-dealing, and venality of politicians at all levels of our government. For this reason, I am now compelled to step down from my roles with the Christian Coalition and Redeem the Vote in order to run for the United States Senate in the special election this August. I am looking forward to working with a preeminent campaign team and running a modern, well-funded campaign that will draw a contrast between myself, as a voter advocate and faith leader, and the incumbent, and other career politicians running for this office. In the coming days I will be launching my campaign website, engaging the grassroots throughout Alabama, and calling on you for your support and prayers. Together we will win this race.”
Brinson lives in Montgomery and is the President of Digestive Diseases Associates. He is originally from Jacksonville, Florida. He has degrees from the Georgia College of Medicine and Valdosta State University.
Gov. Robert Bentley (R) appointed Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange (R) to fill the vacancy and Sen. Strange has announced that he is running for re-election. State Representative Ed Henry (R-Hartselle) announced he was running within hours of Governor Kay Ivey (R) announcing that the General Election will be held on December 12, 2017. The major party primaries will be held on August 15. The Republican Party opened candidate qualifying today.
Several other candidates are expected to join Brinson, Strange, and Henry in the Republican Primary race.
Suspended Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) will announce his future plans at a press conference on Wednesday, April 26 at 1:30 p.m. Alabama Trump campaign Co-Chairman and former State Representative Perry O. Hooper Jr. (R) announced that he was forming an exploratory committee to gauge his viability as a Senate candidate. State Senator Trip Pittman (R-Montrose), Senate President Del Marsh (R-Anniston), state school board member Mary Scott Hunter (R), businessman Greg Callahan, and businessman and Auburn Trustee Jimmy Raine are all rumored to be considering running for the seat.
Individuals interested in qualifying as a Republican should contact ALGOP Political Director Reed Phillips at 205-212-5900 or rphillips@algop.org.
To qualify as a Democrat contact the Alabama Democratic Party. Marijuana activist Ron Crumpton, political activist Randy Johnson, and Rep. England are considering running for the Senate as Democrats.
