Former United States Attorney General Jeff Sessions has returned home to Alabama, but it remains unclear as to whether or not he will return to the Senate seat he once held in the Yellowhammer state.
After Sessions’ exit from the Department of Justice, several Alabama Republicans floated his name as a potential contender to challenge Doug Jones (D-AL) for United States Senate.
In several Politico conducted interviews with Republicans from across Alabama, one thing is clear: Opinions of Jeff Sessions are not what they once were after President Donald Trump fired him.
A spokesperson for Rep. Bradley Byrne said the congressman is taking a “serious look” at the Senate race. Byrne’s spokesperson also said Sessions’ consideration to run “doesn’t change Congressman Byrne’s plans one bit.”
State Senate President Pro Temp Del Marsh, who has signaled that he may run, told Politico he was weighing several factors and mentioned his relationship with Sessions.
“I’ve always had a good relationship [with Sessions] and I would have to think real hard if I would run against him if he were to seek it again,” Marsh said.
Terry Lathan, chairwoman of the Alabama Republican Party, who says Sessions remains “beloved” in Alabama told Politico the shaky relationship between Trump and Sessions would be an “unusual circumstance” should Sessions decide to run. She said supporting Sessions and Trump are not “exclusive of each other.”
“The president is highly appreciated for his conservative policy. He’s just slaying it as far as we’re concerned,” Lathan said. “But I also know how much people admire and respect Jeff Sessions.”
Lathan added those that are considering running now may change their minds should Sessions enter.
“There could be a real reset,” Lathan suggested, “and folks who were thinking about running could take a second look.”
Clay Ryan, the chief lobbyist for the University of Alabama, suggests Sessions will shape the primary in many ways. He said Sessions grasps an “unofficial first right of first refusal” on the Senate race.
“I think there are a number of potential candidates that will want to understand what Attorney General Sessions’ intentions are with respect to the race before they make any decisions,” Ryan said.
Luther Strange, who was defeated by Roy Moore in the contentious 2017 Alabama United States Senate primary, in an email to Politico said, “Too early to prognosticate on … Sessions’ plans. Republican will win the seat so long as that Republican is not named Roy Moore.”
Steve Raby, an Alabama Republican strategist, seems to think Trump would support a candidate other than Sessions.
“If Sessions wants to run I expect them [the White House] to pick them a candidate and bash Sessions for a year-and-a-half,” Raby said. “If Jeff is good in the way he approaches it, we will defend one of our own.”
The full piece published by Politico can be read here.
Kyle Morris also contributes daily to Breitbart News. You can follow him on Twitter @RealKyleMorris.
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