By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Monday, May 15, 2017, US Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) went to Alabama Republican Party Headquarters in Hoover to announce his candidacy for the US Senate vacated by Sen. Jeff Sessions (R). Sessions resigned after he was confirmed as US Attorney General.
Congressman Brooks said that he was running because he is the only candidate in the race with a proven record of advancing conservative principals.
Congressman Brooks said that he is running for Senator because America’s place in the world is at stake. “History reveals great nations rarely fall from the outside. Great nations fall because of weakness within.”
Also on Monday, State Representative Ed Henry (R-Hartselle) announced that he will be at Alabama Republican Party Headquarters on Wednesday, May 17, with his qualifying forms for US Senate.
Rep. Henry announced that he will speak to the press in order to dispel rumors circulating about his candidacy for the US Senate seat.
Rep. Henry is an outspoken conservative lawmaker, who represents a North Alabama state House district that is well within Brooks’ Fifth Congressional District. There were reports that Henry would get out of the race if the popular Freedom Caucus Congressman entered the Senate race.
Henry also promised to to “reveal a new development in the race involving the corruption surrounding Luther Strange.”
Then Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange (R) was appointed by then Governor Robert Bentley (R). Bentley has since pled guilty to campaign finance violations and stepped down from the governorship to avoid impeachment and prosecution.
Rep. Henry brought the original articles of impeachment against Gov. Bentley and championed impeachment despite reservations and some procedural roadblocks along the way. In October, AG Strange sent a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Mike Jones (R-Andalusia) asking that Bentley impeachment hearings be suspended. Jones complied rather than interfere in any way with the state AG’s office’s investigation. AG Strange never indicted Gov. Bentley and the impeachment investigation resumed after Bentley appointed Strange to the Senate.
Former Christian Coalition President Dr. Randy Brinson also formally qualified at Republican Party Headquarters on Monday.
Donald Trump’s Alabama Co-Chair former State Representative Perry O. Hooper Jr. (R-Prattville) has announced that he will make his decision on whether or not to enter the race on Wednesday.
Senate President Del Marsh (R-Anniston) is also rumored to still be contemplating entering the crowded GOP field.
Also running as Republicans are former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore (R) and Birmingham businessman Dom Gentle.
The winter of the August 15 Special Republican Primary will still face a competitive general election on December 12.
Former US Attorney Doug Jones, marijuana legalization activist Ron Crumpton, and Robert Kennedy Jr. of Mobile have all announced their candidacies for US Senate as Democrats.
On Friday, we confirmed that the Robert Kennedy who is running for Senate is not Bamacarry co-founder Robert W. Kennedy, Jr.
To this point, The Alabama Political Reporter has not been contacted by Senate candidate Kennedy or by his campaign.
Wednesday, May 17, is the last day that a candidate can qualify as a major party candidate for the Senate race.
