The National Rifle Association, a powerful gun lobby group, waded into the gubernatorial race in support of sitting Gov. Kay Ivey.
In their statement on Thursday, the group cited that they awarded Ivey with an “A” rating, which the organization gives to lawmakers who uphold their interpretation of the Second Amendment.
While the group has faced national scrutiny by the March for Our Lives protest that targeted politicians who took money from the NRA, their endorsement is still embraced by Alabama politicos.
Ivey, who announced the endorsement over Twitter and Facebook, said she was “honored” to have the endorsement. The decision of the NRA also excludes Ivey’s opponents from the endorsement in what is becoming a one-sided race for governor.
Evangelist Scott Dawson, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, and state Sen. Bill Hightower are all seeking to unseat Ivey.
The sitting governor came to the office in an unusual way with her never winning an election to the position. Ivey instead came into the position after former Gov. Robert Bentley resigned amid an impending impeachment.
Ivey is running to seek a term in her own right and polling ranks her as one of the most popular governors. A morning consultant poll recently ranked her as the 3rd most popular governor in the country with a 67 percent approval rating.
The NRA also announced that they endorsed Steve Marshall for attorney general. Marshall also faces a crowded field with three other candidates, including former Attorney General Troy King, looking to unseat him.
Marshall, too, was never elected to the position and was appointed to the AG position by Bentley after former Attorney General Luther Strange was appointed to the U.S. Senate.
The party primaries are less than a month away, and the general election is set for November.
