Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) – not for the first time – is being accused of failing to keep his campaign promise of serving as an independent voice for Alabama.
On Wednesday, Jones broke with longstanding Senate traditions and voted against a federal judicial nominee from his own home state. This came after Jones reportedly had green-lighted the Trump nominee, Montgomery’s Andrew Brasher, throughout the process leading up to the final vote.
In a statement, Alabama Republican Party chairman Terry Lathan explained what may have led to Jones’ seemingly last-minute change of heart: blind partisanship outweighing the nominee’s qualifications — and Yellowhammer State roots.
“Once again Senator Jones sides with his good New York buddy Chuck Schumer against Alabama,” Lathan said.
She advised, “Solicitor General Brasher has impeccable credentials, with degrees from Samford University and Harvard Law. He has served the state of Alabama with distinction. There is no rhyme or reason for Senator Jones’ NO vote other than party politics. Just more reasons to return the favor and vote NO to Doug Jones in 2020.”
Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-01) and former Auburn University head football coach Tommy Tuberville are currently the only announced Republican candidates against Jones in 2020.
Jones raised more money from New York than he did from Alabama in the first quarter of 2019.
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Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn