If former President Donald Trump does, in fact, plan to endorse Linda Blanchard in a race for governor of Alabama, she apparently plans to accept it.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that Trump has discussed endorsing Blanchard in a race against Gov. Kay Ivey because Trump is still upset over a rally that wasn’t allowed to take place.
In a statement Monday evening, Blanchard, who is still in the race for Alabama’s U.S. Senate seat, said Trump’s endorsement would be “powerful” in any race.
“While I don’t comment on private conversations, the President’s endorsement is unquestionably the most powerful force in American politics and when he endorses candidates, they win,” Blanchard said. “The MAGA Movement is the heart and soul of this nation. I entered the Senate race to serve Alabama’s people, and no matter what the future may bring, that will always be my main goal.
“We must have strong leaders at every level to face the dark times ahead. I will always fight for our freedoms. I stand with America and the great State of Alabama!”
Trump is the former president. His endorsements in Alabama have meant very little in the past, particularly in statewide races.
Trump publicly supported both Luther Strange and Roy Moore in 2017, and both ended up losing. He has publicly backed Rep. Mo Brooks in the U.S. Senate race and that endorsement appears to be losing its luster as well, as Brooks has quickly fallen behind Katie Britt in many polls.
Blanchard was one of the first candidates to enter the senate race but her campaign has failed to gain traction. She has consistently polled in the single digits, and with Brooks in the race occupying the MAGA lane, there seems to be no pathway forward for her.
In late summer, there was rampant speculation that Blanchard was considering challenging Ivey for governor.
Trump’s anger towards Ivey stems from a failed plan to hold a rally at USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. The park commission told Trump that longstanding rules barred partisan political events that are open to the public. Still, Trump blames Ivey, whose office told the Journal that she had no role in the decision.
