Doug Jones is not making an endorsement in the Democratic Primary race for Alabama governor.
After an odd mixup on Wednesday night in Auburn at a Sue Bell Cobb event, Jones’ office issued a release on Thursday making it clear that Alabama’s newest U.S. senator had no favorite between Cobb and Walt Maddox.
“The Senator has not endorsed, and will not endorse, any candidates in any of the Alabama races during this year’s primary election,” the statement from Jones’ office read. “No one on his staff, nor volunteers from his campaign has or would make an endorsement on behalf of the Senator.”
On Wednesday evening in Auburn, during the Cobb event, a person unaffiliated with the Jones camp — who turned out to be a teenager — told attendees that Jones planned to back Cobb in the race. Numerous people present said the comments weren’t challenged by Cobb or anyone on her staff.
APR contacted Cobb’s office on Thursday to ask what occurred, but after taking the question, no one from the campaign followed up with an answer.
The way the comment was handled by Cobb and her staff drew the ire of the Maddox camp, a source said, because both campaigns were told several weeks ago that Jones would not make an endorsement in the race.
“That it wasn’t immediately corrected on site was a problem for (the Maddox campaign),” the source said.
