By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Tuesday, August 15, 2017: The 16 remaining candidates for US Senate will make their final push to get voters to choose them at the polls today.
Former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) has been the Republican frontrunner through out this race. On Tuesday morning, Roy Moore and his wife, Kayla, will participate in their traditional horse ride to the polls at the Gallant Fire Department.
US Senate Candidate Dr. Randy Brinson will be voting as soon as the polls open at St. James United Methodist Church in Montgomery. He will spend the remainder of the day doing last-minute campaigning in and around his home town.
Dr. Brinson commented on the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, “As a Christian leader I deplore the violence and loss of life in Charlottesville, Virginia this weekend. This strife is pure evil, and we have to end the divisions festering in our country. Those who encourage this strife must be dealt with. We can only do this when we call out evil and corruption and those that self-aggrandize in the name of Christ, yet do nothing to promote Christian love and grace. We as a People must do better. We can do better, starting right here in Alabama.”
No candidate has raised or spent more money than US Senator Luther Strange (R).
Sen. Strange, who benefitted from another favorable tweet from the President on Monday, said, “It’s an honor to have my campaign to represent my home State of Alabama endorsed by President Donald J Trump. I’d be honored if you’d join him in supporting my candidacy to support his agenda August 15.”
Congressman Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) continued to campaign on a bus tour of the Mobile and Baldwin County area. On Sunday, Brooks thanked Wetumpka Tea Party President and 2014 GOP congressional candidate Becky Gerritson for her endorsement.
State Senator Trip Pittman (R-Montrose) said on social media, “There is only one candidate in this race who will end business as usual in Washington and fight to drain the swamp! When you go to the polls tomorrow, vote to have a businessman represent Alabama in the U.S. Senate for the first time in over 100 years. Vote Trip Pittman!”
On Monday, Pittman said, “Tomorrow is the big day and it’s critical that you come out and vote in this important election! Please click below to find your polling location. Thank you and I hope I have earned your support!”
Republican candidate Bryan Peeples said in a statement to voters, “I am asking for your vote on August 15 to provide Alabama with a liberty minded conservative Senator. We need send someone from Alabama who is like Rand Paul. The expected turnout is low so every vote counts and I hope to earn your vote and trust and push the liberty movement more in DC and help Rand Paul stand against the destruction of our individual freedoms and rights.”
Environmentalist and Democratic candidate for US Senate Michael Hansen said, “I got into the special election race for US Senate because I believe Alabamians are getting a raw deal from elected officials in Montgomery and Washington. The powers that be have proven time and again that they care more about maintaining the status quo than they do about creating a more sustainable and prosperous future for all of us.”
Hansen continued, “I am running on an unapologetically progressive platform. I’m advocating for single-payer health care that guarantees affordable coverage for every American. I’m pushing for clean, renewable energy that will create thousands of good-paying jobs in Alabama while simultaneously reducing pollution from dirty fossil fuels. I’m shouting from the rooftops that Alabama’s workers deserve a raise. I’m calling for criminal justice reform that includes ending for-profit prisons, community policing, and decriminalizing marijuana.”
Birmingham area attorney and Democratic candidate for Senate Doug Jones announced that he will be voting at Brookwood Baptist Church on Overton Road.
On Sunday, Jones was endorsed by Congressional Black Caucus Chair, Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-Louisiana), who said, “Doug has a long track record of fighting for equality, justice and opportunity. As we are reminded every day by this president – elections have consequences. We need Doug Jones in the Senate fighting for us all.”
Jones thanked Congressman Richmond for his support and endorsement, “Elections have consequences is the best explanation I have yet heard for the importance of this campaign.”
Democratic candidate and US Navy veteran Robert Kennedy Jr said on social media, “Tomorrow choose the candidate who can win the seat overall. #Faith #Family #Freedom = #Leadership. Our collective Democratic platform may live if we flip this seat.”
Democratic candidate Charles Nana on Sunday condemned the weekend’s violence in Charlottesville, Virginia and blamed President Trump for the situation.
Nana, who immigrated from Africa, said, “What we witnessed yesterday in Charlottesville, Va is just the beginning of what to expect from “Donald Trump’s law enforcement presidency.” We are in an unchartered era of tremendous Dishonesty, Incompetence, erratic on the job training, Money Laundry and last but not least, Meanness towards anyone who looks, acts, worship or talk differently. Although I have been surprised it took this long for the first White Nationalist Domestic terrorism clash under President Trump, Trump remained true to his conservative values: TOTAL FAILURE of indifference and unconditional support for white supremacist and hate mongers! The president even went further to equate the actions of white supremacist to those individuals protesting hate and fear mongering. Donald Trump remains the most significant national security threat to the United States and its democratic institutions.!”
Polls open today at 7:00 am and close at 7:00 pm.
