Last week, Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Fairhope) made it official when he announced he was running for U.S. Senate in 2020 and was the first in what could shape up to be a crowded field of challengers looking to unseat Sen. Doug Jones (D-Mountain Brook).
Others are sure to follow in Byrne’s wake but don’t expect Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) to be one of them.
In an appearance on Huntsville’s WVNN on Friday, Aderholt dismissed the possibility of running for the Senate. However, he mentioned a few names that could be possibilities.
“I’m very happy where I am,” Aderholt said to “The Jeff Poor Show” when asked about a possible run in 2020. “I’m very honored to serve in the fourth district, and so I’m not really looking at it at this point. Of course, as you know, some of my colleagues are, namely Bradley Byrne, who announced last week. And I think you’ll see several more people get in the race. I don’t know if you’ll see some House members.”
“Mo Brooks from the fifth district, up in the Huntsville area – I know he is looking at it,” he continued. “I know Gary Palmer down in the Birmingham area is looking at it. I don’t know how close they are, so it’s too early to tell. But I think they’ll be some more. Of course, Del Marsh from the Alabama Senate is looking at it as well very closely. So, I think you’ll have two or three other people.”
One name in the rumor mill Aderholt offered was former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who served in the same U.S. Senate seat occupied by Jones from 1997-2017.
“I think it’s even a possibility Jeff Sessions could get in the race,” Aderholt added. “He has certainly not announced. “I would not be shocked if maybe he ends up jumping into the race. I think Alabama appreciates his service. I thought he did a great job serving as a United States Senator and was honored that he served with the President as Attorney General. Even though they had some differences, at the end of the day I think people agree with Jeff Sessions on so many issues and I think that he may very likely get into the race. He has not told me that, so that’s not anything that I know first-hand. I’m just saying that it is someone whose name is being mentioned from time to time.”
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University, the editor of Breitbart TV and host of “The Jeff Poor Show” from 2-5 p.m. on WVNN in Huntsville.