Roy Moore might be posing a challenge for interim U.S. Sen. Luther Strange.
News 5 is reporting the suspended Alabama Chief Justice will hold a news conference Wednesday afternoon for an unspecified “announcement.” What is fueling speculation is the news conference was called at once after newly named Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation advancing the special election for the Senate seat vacated in February by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Then-Gov. Robert Bentley — who had interviewed Moore for the Senate seat — scheduled the election for 2018, in line with the midterm elections. But Ivey rescheduled the primary Aug. 15, a runoff Sept. 26 and the general election Dec. 12.
Moore was one of about two dozen candidates brought in Bentley to interview for the seat, which ultimately went to then-Attorney General Strange.
Bentley resigned April 10 and was booked into Montgomery County jail on a pair of misdemeanor campaign-finance charges. The Republican pled guilty to both as part of a deal to avoid facing four felony charges.
Under suspension after a conviction on judicial ethics charges related to a gay marriage order, News 5 says Moore’s checkered political past made him a controversial choice for the Senate. Since his suspension, however, Moore has been looking for a return to public service, even a possible return to the Alabama Supreme Court.
Moore’s news conference will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the State Capitol.
