Just days after Donald Trump confirmed that he would tap Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as his Attorney General, the “race” for Senator Jeff Sessions’ seat has begun to heat up. Already, reports have flooded of lawmakers from across the state that have begun vying for Governor Bentley’s attention.
Governor Bentley now faces the decision to appoint a new Senator or call for a quick special election to take place. Considering the cost to hold a special election ahead of 2018- an estimated $4 million- it is especially likely that Bentley will appoint an interim lawmaker to fill Sessions’ empty seat.
Now, a new facet to the debate has emerged. According to AL.com, coastal lawmakers are urging the Governor to consider an appointee that would not only share Senator Sessions’ seat, but also his coastal home-region. To them, it only makes sense- Senator Richard Shelby is originally from Tuscaloosa. They argue that a senator from the area should be familiar with the issues and challenges specific to their area.
State Rep. Chris Pringle (R- Mobile) told AL.com that the locality of Alabama’s next Senator should be an “important consideration.” State Rep. Randy Davis (R- Daphne) agreed.
“Naturally, we would hope that would be part of the decision that the governor could consider in that Jeff’s work here when he was U.S. Attorney gave him the strong understanding of the region, the economics of the region and the population of the region,” Rep. Davis said.
Several state lawmakers from the state’s Gulf Coast could be considered for the post. Potential appointees from the area include State Senator Tripp Pittman (R- Montrose). Others- like Congressman Bradley Byrne and State Senator Rusty Glover (R- Semmes) have flatly stated that they’re not interested in the post.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.