White House: Gen. John Kelly Not Involved with Alabama Senate Write-In Lee Busby Campaign

The White House distanced Gen. John Kelly from a surprise write-in Senate candidate in Alabama, just two weeks before the date of the election.

Retired Marine Colonel Lee Busby of Alabama launched his campaign on Monday, making it known that he served as the vice chief of staff to Kelly when the White House chief of staff commanded the Marine Forces Reserve.

“Neither Gen. Kelly nor anyone in the White House was involved with recruiting or supporting Mr. Busby’s effort,” White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary said in a statement to Breitbart News. “The White House believes this election is for the people of Alabama to decide.”

Busby launched his campaign on Monday, speaking to the Washington Post about his decision to run for the Senate seat as a write-in candidate. He predicted that he might speak with Kelly in the future – if his campaign got more attention.

A White House official did not dispute that Busby knew Kelly but stressed that the White House chief of staff was not involved with Busby’s decision.

Kelly commanded Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North from October 2009 to March 2011 when he was a Lieutenant General.