Newly appointed U.S. Sen. Luther Strange, selected by Gov. Robert Bentley to replace Jeff Sessions after he became U.S. Attorney General, is posting robust fundraising numbers ahead of a 2018 special election.
According to AL.com, Strange’s campaign expects to report raising $673,802 to the Federal Elections Commission, with $763,612 cash-on-hand.
A primary for the special election is tentatively scheduled June 5, 2018, for the General Election Nov. 6, 2018. However, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey – who took over after Bentley’s resignation this week after accusations of ethics and campaign finance violations – could move the date up.
While Strange is the only announced candidate so far, AL.com reports that before the appointment, nearly a dozen people have expressed interest in the Senate race.
In February, Bentley appointed Strange to the Senate seat in February only four months after Strange, who was Alabama Attorney General at the time, called on the House committee to suspend its investigation of the governor’s impeachment, claiming his office was conducting “necessary related work.”
The controversial appointment led attorney Sam McClure to file an ethics complaint with the Alabama State Bar.
Steve Marshall, Bentley’s choice to replace Strange as AG, has confirmed to reporters his office is conducting an investigation into the governor.
