Major GOP donor produces anti-Luther Strange ad in Senate race

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A political committee connected to a big-time Alabama GOP donor will roll out an online and TV ad this week attacking Luther Strange in the final weeks of the primary race for the seat he now occupies.

First reported by POLITICO, the Stan Pate-backed Swamp Drainers PAC produced an ad calling into question Strange’s appointment to the seat by former Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, who resigned amid controversy in April.

The 17-second spot asserts then-Alabama Attorney General Strange was appointed by Bentley in exchange for his office dropping an investigation into the scandal-plagued governor.

“Vote No! To Shady Big Luther Strange,” the ad reads.

The Tuscaloosa real estate developer, announced his political committee at the end of June and made clear he would use it against Strange, who is running in a special election to keep his senate seat.

Pate did not say how much money the committee plans to spend on the ads, which will begin airing this week.

Strange is running in a crowded special Republican Primary for the seat, with his main competition coming from former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore and CD 5 U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks.

The primary election is set for Aug. 15. A primary runoff, if necessary, will be Sept. 26 and the general election is scheduled for Dec. 12.

The winner of the general election will serve out the remainder of former U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions’ term, which runs through Jan. 2021.