Staff Report
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY — Perry Hooper Jr., a staunch Trump supporter and co-chairman of Trump’s Alabama campaign, is expected to make an announcement about the US Senate special election on Wednesday.
It isn’t clear whether Hooper will announce intentions to run in the special election. Hooper, a former five-term state representative, had not filed campaign finance paperwork by the time of the publication of this article.
Hooper actively sought appointment to the seat when former Gov. Robert Bentley was vetting candidates for the vacated seat after Sen. Jeff Sessions became US Attorney General. Bentley interviewed Hooper for the seat, which eventually went to now-Sen. Luther Strange, who also plans to run for election.
Hooper was the self-declared co-chair of Trump’s Alabama campaign, organizing rallies and events and speaking at Trump’s victory rally in Mobile in December. Hooper said he dedicated considerable time and effort to Trump’s election, now he wants to help Trump get his agenda through.
“Since November’s election, I have been working tirelessly to assure the implementation of the Trump Agenda: repealing and replacing Obamacare, fundamentally reforming our tax system, upgrading our nation’s infrastructure, and increasing funding for our military and border security.”
In Alabama, Hooper said he has been focused on infrastructure, including the planned Mobile Bay Bridge, Corridor X in Birmingham and the Montgomery Outer Loop. He said he would also like to help Montgomery win the Air Force F-35 squadron.
Aside from Hooper, a long list of candidates has emerged for the special election including Strange, former Chief Justice Roy Moore, State Rep. Ed Henry, businessman Don Gentile and Redeem the Vote founder Randy Brinson. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh is also expected to make an announcement about the Senate election soon.
On the Democratic side, 2016 Senate nominee Ron Crumpton and former US Attorney Doug Jones have announced campaigns for the seat. Two other candidates, Jason E. Fisher and Robert Kennedy Jr. have filed federal campaign finance paperwork.
Gov. Kay Ivey rescheduled the special election last month after calls and lawsuits from lawmakers and state officials who felt the previous scheduling was unlawful and unfair. Bentley had previously set the election to coincide with the 2018 statewide General Election.
