Sen. Doug Jones (D-Mountain Brook), through his leadership committee PAC, is working to defeat the Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Alabama as they all face general election challenges.
The last mandatory FEC filing before the November 6 midterms for Jones’ PAC, entitled the “Seeking Justice Committee,” showed donations on October 12 to the Democratic House nominees in Alabama’s first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth congressional districts. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-7) is the only Democratic House member from Alabama.
Jones’ leadership committee donated to Robert Kennedy, Jr. against Rep. Bradley Byrne (AL-1), Tabitha Isner against Rep. Martha Roby (AL-2), Mallory Hagan against Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-3), Lee Auman against Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-4), Peter Joffrion against Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-5) and Danner Kline against Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-6).
The contributions were for $2,500 each. The federal limit is $2,700 each.
Jones has tried to brand himself as someone who is above party politics, a statesman seeking to work across the aisle for the betterment of Alabama. These partisan contributions come in stark contrast to his claims.
At the end of the day, pure partisanship is the only reason Jones would have to support all six of these Democratic candidates. Plausibly, if it was just one or two, he could have argued on the merits of the candidate versus the respective incumbent. However, there is no rational argument to be made that replacing essentially Alabama’s entire House delegation, all of whom have some type of positive committee assignment and seniority, would be beneficial for the state or its people.
Take Aderholt, for example. He is in line to possibly become the House Appropriations Committee chair. Even if the Republicans cannot keep the House, Aderholt becoming Appropriations’ ranking member would have a hugely positive impact on Alabama. Why would Jones want to replace him with some backbencher? That is the definition of party over state.
You can find that type of reasoning to different extents in all of the six races. Byrne’s presence on the Armed Services Committee is extremely important for the state. Roby also plays a crucial role on Appropriations. Rogers goes to bat for Alabama farmers on the Agriculture Committee. Brooks’ leadership on Science, Space, and Technology cannot be replaced. And Palmer gives Alabama a voice on the Budget Committee.
Besides the harm Jones would be doing to the state if his Democratic cohorts shocked the world and won, think of the damage he is doing to the state’s congressional delegation even if he fails. How can the Republican members trust a guy that is actively undermining them?
Jones is making working across the aisle that much harder for everyone involved.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
