With primaries for the special election to fill the Senate seat left behind by Attorney General Jeff Sessions quickly approaching, citizens on both sides of the aisle appear ready to move on from the controversy the previous administration brought to the state. The primaries are scheduled for August 15 and Alabamians are ready to vote on a senator to represent the state. The general election is scheduled for December 12, 2017.
Despite blowback from his involvement with former Governor Robert Bentley, Luther Strange continues to serve as senator and will run to retain the position in the special election. Other candidates who will oppose him in the upcoming primaries include former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore and Representative Mo Brooks. Despite his involvement with Bentley, Strange still has a significant chance at holding his seat, but others think it is time for change.
“I think Alabamians are tired of the corruption they’ve seen in the last seven years and I’m confident they will make the right choice at the ballot box,” said Kyle Campbell, National Membership Director for College Democrats. “Whether the special election is a step in the right direction depends on the result.”
Roy Moore is a former Alabama circuit court judge and chief justice of the state. He has a history of winning elections despite being heavily outspent by his opponents. He served as Etowah County Circuit Judge until he ran for Alabama Chief Justice in 1999, where he won the first time running. He has served as Chief Justice on two different occasions, but has faced suspension due to ethical violations throughout his terms.
Mo Brooks is a University of Alabama Law School alumnus and the current congressman representing Alabama’s 5th district. He serves on committees such as Armed Services and Foreign Affairs. Brooks worked his way through the Alabama ranks, starting off as a prosecutor for the Tuscaloosa District Attorney’s office and moved his way up to being reelected three times for the Madison County Commission. Brooks became a U.S. congressman in 2010.
The special election comes in the wake of political controversy caused by the Bentley administration. This was highlighted by an extramarital affair which the former governor allegedly used state funds and his gubernatorial power to cover up. The appointment of Luther Strange to fill Sessions’ seat made matters worse, as Strange was investigating Bentley at the time for corruption. Bentley has since resigned as governor and was replaced by Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey, who called for the special election.
Some of the public criticism directed at Bentley was also due to his decision to delay the special election of the new senator until the normal Alabama Senate race in 2018, which would give Strange two years in office of being appointed senator with no election to worry about. This decision was in violation of Alabama law, which says the special election cannot be delayed until the normal election date unless already within 4 months of it. At the time of Bentley’s appointment of Strange and delay of the special election, the 2018 election was still 21 months out. This made many Alabama lawmakers question the legality and motives behind the move, including State Auditor Jim Zeigler.
“Under the illegal delay by Bentley, his anointed U.S. Senator gets a free ride for almost two years before an elected Senator can take office,” said Zeigler. “The people of Alabama will remember this come election time.”
However, since Strange was appointed, the state has challenged what they view as corruption going on in the governor’s mansion. Bentley faced either impeachment or resignation and chose the latter. When Ivey took over, she immediately changed the special election date.
The backlash from Bentley and Strange’s plan has Alabamians looking forward. Governor Ivey’s decisions since taking over the office have received bipartisan support, including at The University of Alabama.
“I applaud Governor Ivey for standing by the rule of law and initiating the special election process,” said Cameron Mixon, Chairman of UA’s Young Conservatives. “With the oust of the former Governor, we have begun to heal and we are heading into a very exciting time of renewed hope and vitality.”
