In a stunning blow to his former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, President Donald Trump on Tuesday night endorsed Sessions’ primary opponent, former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville, in the Alabama GOP Senate run-off.
“Tommy Tuberville is running for the U.S. Senate from the Great State of Alabama,” Trump tweeted Tuesday night. “He is a REAL LEADER who will never let MAGA/KAG, or our country down!”
Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville) is running for the U.S. Senate from the Great State of Alabama. Tommy was a terrific head football coach at Auburn University. He is a REAL LEADER who will never let MAGA/KAG, or our Country, down! Tommy will protect your Second Amendment….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 11, 2020
Shortly after Trump’s tweet, Sessions responded with tweets of his own saying, “Of course, President Trump can endorse anyone he chooses for the U.S. Senate election in Alabama. But the Constitution expressly empowers the people of Alabama, and only them, to select their Senator. I intend to take my case directly to the people of Alabama.”
Of course, President Trump can endorse anyone he chooses for the U.S. Senate election in Alabama. But the Constitution expressly empowers the people of Alabama, and only them, to select their Senator. I intend to take my case directly to the people of Alabama. (1/2.)
— Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) March 11, 2020
Meanwhile, Tuberville enthusiastically replied to the president’s tweet, “Looking forward to helping you drain the swamp and #KAG!”
Looking forward to helping you drain the swamp and #KAG! #alpolitics #ALSen #MAGA https://t.co/KfXGfCESRT
— Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville) March 11, 2020
Sessions and Tuberville will go head-to-head in a runoff on March 31 and neither candidate amassed the 50 percent of votes necessary to outright win their party’s nomination.
The winner will go on to face incumbent, Democrat Doug Jones.