Aside from a few speeches here and there, former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has kept a low profile since his resignation from the Department of Justice in 2018. But that could be changing very soon.
In the last month, speculation that Sessions could seek a return to his old U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) has been in full swing. Late Monday, the buzz was amplified with stories from Politico and The New York Times.
Breitbart News has learned Sessions himself has been in touch with at least one of the current GOP candidates about entering the fray and has had calls made on his behalf seeking campaign consulting help on a 2020 bid.
According to a poll conducted by Montgomery-based Cygnal from October 10-12 which had a sample size of 536 likely 2020 GOP primary voters, former Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville and Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-AL) are the current Republican front-runners in a field that also includes former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, Secretary of State John Merrill, State Rep. Arnold Mooney (R) and Haleyville businessman Stanley Adair:
Tommy Tuberville 32%
Bradley Byrne 18%
Roy Moore 10.6%
John Merrill 8.6%
Arnold Mooney 2%
Stanley Adair 1%
In a statement given to Breitbart News from Tuberville’s campaign, the former football coach touted his outsider credentials and took a shot at Sessions.
“If the voters of Alabama want a career politician as their next U.S. Senator, then they have plenty of choices. If they want a political outsider who will actually stand with President Trump and fight the DC establishment when it matters the most, I am the only choice. Jeff Sessions had a chance to stand and defend the President and he failed.”
Byrne’s campaign dismissed the news in a response offered to Breitbart News from Byrne for Senate press secretary Lenze Morris.
“Regardless of who may or may not get in this race, Bradley isn’t going anywhere. He is laser-focused on becoming the next Senator from Alabama and will lead the charge to secure our borders, fight for American workers and stand up to Democrats and their deep state allies attempting to nullify and sabotage the Trump Presidency.”
President Donald Trump is believed to be someone that can make or break any of the Republican hopefuls’ bids to become the U.S. Senate GOP nominee. Except for a tweet about Moore, the 2017 Alabama special election GOP nominee, Trump has been silent on the contest.
However, during a meeting with members of Congress last week, Trump expressed his interest in the race to Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL).
Trump, as recently as earlier this month, has spoken out against Sessions’ tenure as his attorney general, referring to it as an “absolute disaster.”
Candidates have until November 8 to qualify with the Alabama Republican Party for the March 3, 2020 primary ballot.
Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.