It seems the Republican Party is attempting to crown a winner in the Alabama special election to permanently fill Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ seat in the U.S. Senate.
Judge Roy Moore is running in that election, as are several other Republicans, but several reports indicate the National Republican Senatorial Committee is treating Sen. Luther Strange, R-Ala. as an incumbent, even though he was appointed to the position by a governor he was investigating as attorney general. That governor was removed from office for using tax dollars to make payments in a sex scandal a few days after making the appointment.
This is relevant because it is NRSC policy to cut off contract work for consultants who provide services to candidates who oppose an incumbent. That means Moore’s campaign—as well as those of other Republicans in the state—aren’t able to build the kind of infrastructure needed for this kind of race, and time is running out.
The “jungle primary” will be held Aug. 15, and if no one receives at least 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be held Sept. 26. Qualifying for the race ended last week with 11 Republicans and eight Democrats making the ballot.
In addition to Strange and Moore, Rep. Mo Brooks, R.-Ala.—a member of the House Freedom Caucus—and Christian Coalition President Randy Brinson are among the GOP candidates. According to a report from Politico, the NRSC has told at least two consulting firms not to provide support to anyone running against Strange. {eoa}
