Senate Leadership Fund email slams Mo Brooks for Tuesday radio interview
It looks like Senate candidate and U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks isn’t being ignored by his Republican Primary opponents just yet. A super PAC controlled by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell again attacked Brooks in a Tuesday email, just one week before Alabamians are set to vote on the GOP nominee to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the senate. “Career Congressman Mo Brooks has been in the Washington swamp for so long that he’s looking down at Alabamans (sic) as ignorant rubes,” the Senate Leadership Fund email said. “Brooks called Alabama voters ‘relatively uninformed’ and ‘easy to deceive’ this morning on The Dale Jackson Show. “ The email continued along similar lines that the political committee and its preferred candidate, sitting Sen. Luther Strange, have leveled against the CD 5 Republican for weeks: He isn’t supportive enough of President Donald Trump. “Was Brooks trying to target ‘easy to deceive’ Alabama voters when he tried passing a check written to the Alabama GOP as a check written to Donald Trump? Did he think Alabama voters were ‘relatively uninformed’ when he claimed to support Donald Trump’s border wall despite originally opposing it and taking free trips to China funded by NYC pro-amnesty groups? Is that why he tried telling Alabama voters he voted with Trump on ‘every single’ bill despite having the 10th lowest percentage of voting with President Trump of any Republican Member of Congress?” The email then links to a recording of Brooks radio appearance on YouTube. During the segment, Brooks and host Dale Jackson discussed the “never Trump” attacks on his senate campaign, to which Jackson said, “I don’t understand why that attack seems to be making sense.” “While a lot of people are relatively uninformed, they don’t know the truth, they’re easy to deceive, the party regulars — people who have been through this before — who take a little bit more time to get beyond the 30-second ad and actually do the research to try to determine who’s telling the truth and who’s not, they’re not being deceived at all,” Brooks responded. Brooks and Strange are running in a crowded special Republican Primary for Sessions’ old seat, with former Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore rounding out the top tier of candidates. Strange and Moore are jockeying for the top spot in the nine-way race, with a recent poll showing Moore with 31-29 lead over Strage. The same poll showed Brooks with 18 percent support, followed by state Sen. Trip Pittman with 8 percent and Alabama Christian Coalition president Randy Brinson with 2 percent. Eleven percent were undecided. Unless one of the candidates can secure a majority of the vote in the Aug. 15 primary, Alabamians will have to decide between the top two vote getters in a Sept. 26 runoff. The general election is slated for December 12.
Mo Brooks hits back on Luther Strange’s ‘deceptive attacks’ in Senate primary
Mo Brooks is hitting back on the recent wave of “deceptive attacks” from opponents in the Alabama’s U.S. Senate race. Brooks’ new ad is the latest push on Sen. Luther Strange over who is the true Donald Trump supporter in the increasingly heated midsummer Alabama Senate primary to serve the rest of Attorney General Jeff Session’s term. The 30-second “Support Trump,” which launched Tuesday, reaffirms his “strong support” of Trump’s agenda, touting he voted with the president “95 percent of the time in Congress.” Strange — who has enjoyed support from the Senate Leadership Fund, linked to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell — has leveled waves of negative hits on Brooks, trying to paint the four-term Huntsville Republican congressman as a tepid (at best) Trump supporter and even a “closet liberal.” “There’s only one ‘Never Trumper’ in this race: Luther Strange,” said Brooks, a member of the House Freedom Caucus. “I supported President Trump in 2016 and wrote a $2,500 check to help him win. Luther never endorsed Trump, never donated and is now helping Mitch McConnell block the America First Agenda in the Senate.” “So, who are you going to believe: Mitch McConnell and Luther Strange?” he asks. With a “proven conservative” record, Brooks finishes his ad with a list of endorsements from leading “conservative thought leaders” such as Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and Ann Coulter. Strange and Brooks are locked in a contentious primary battle, part of a nine-person GOP field that includes former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore. All three are running for a place in the race’s staunch conservative lane in a state that overwhelmingly supported Trump in 2016. Other Republican candidates in the race include Dr. James Beretta, Joseph Breault, Alabama Christian Coalition president Randy Brinson, Mary Maxwell, Bryan Peeples and state Sen. Trip Pittman of Baldwin County. As for who will ultimately represent Alabama, voters have less than two weeks to decide before the Aug. 15 Republican and Democratic primaries. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is Aug. 10. If there is no primary winner — with 50 percent plus one — a runoff is Sept. 26; the general election is Dec. 12. “Support Trump” is now available on YouTube.
Luther Strange dominates fundraising in Senate race
U.S. Sen. Luther Strange is outpacing his competition in fundraising heading into the final stretch before the special Republican Primary election for his senate seat. Strange, who was appointed to the seat by former Gov. Robert Bentley in February, raised $1.85 million in the second quarter for a total of $2.7 million raised so far in the special election cycle. The former Alabama Attorney General has also been on the receiving end of substantial support from a super PAC associated with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. The second-quarter haul puts him far CD 5 Republican Rep. Mo Brooks, who reported $298,000 in fundraising over the past three months and had $1.3 million on hand July 1. The third major candidate running for the seat is former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore, who pulled in $305,000 over the three-month span. The vast majority of that money came in from small-dollar donors who gave $100 or less. Despite the money lead, Strange will likely have to win three elections to keep his seat. A recent poll indicates a tight race among the top three candidates, with Moore leading the crowded Republican Primary field with 31 percent support among GOP voters. Strange followed with 23 percent and Brooks had 21 percent support. Gov. Kay Ivey scheduled the primary election for Aug. 15, and if no candidate passes 50 percent in the election, a runoff between the top-two vote-getters is slated for Sept. 28. Strange seems to be focusing on Brooks, and has put some of his campaign money to use on mailers blasting the congressman for not supporting Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential primary, and for his criticism of Trump after he secured the GOP nomination. The winner of the November general election will serve at least until January 2021, which is the rest of the term U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions won in the 2014 election cycle.
Mo Brooks tops in Huntsville straw poll, Luther Strange at bottom
Alabama Congressman Mo Brooks came out on top in a straw poll of U.S. Senate candidates at a candidate forum Monday in his hometown of Huntsville. AL.com reports that nine candidates took part in the event organized by the Christian Citizen Task Force, with a bipartisan audience of about 300 people. Out of 200 votes cast for Republicans, Brooks took first with 101 votes. Former state Supreme Chief Justice Roy Moore came in second with 74 votes; state Sen. Trip Pittman of Montrose received eight votes. Incumbent Republican Sen. Luther Strange — who did not attend the event — tied for sixth with only three votes. Three Republicans — James Beretta, Joseph Breault and Dom Gentile — received no votes. Democrats cast about 40 votes; leading the count was Brian McGee, who took 19 votes. According to AL.com, the candidates attending the forum were Democrats Will Boyd, Vann Caldwell and McGee; Republicans Randy Brinson, Brooks, Mary Maxwell, Moore, Bryan Peeples and Pittman. Appointed to the Senate in February by then-Governor Robert Bentley, Strange is facing a crowded 10-person field for the Aug. 15 Republican primary. A primary runoff, if necessary, will be Sept. 26, with a general election Dec. 12.
Alabama’s GOP Senate hopefuls meet in Oxford for debate
The Calhoun County Republican Party hosted a candidate forum Tuesday night for the state’s GOP Senate hopefuls. Christian Coalition president Randy Brinson, Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, former Chief Justice Roy Moore and state Sen. Trip Pittman were all in attendance for the Oxford, Ala. debate. “We are honored to have the opportunity to host this event, as this is such an important election,” Calhoun County Republican Party Chairman James Bennett said. “This is a great accomplishment for our local party and for our community.” Moderated by radio personality Jay Holland, the debate featured panelists in diverse areas of expertise who queried the candidates throughout the evening, as they jockeyed for support from the crowd. Panelists included: Former Congressman Dr. Glen Browder Professor Emiratis Jacksonville State University. Lt Colonel Brian Reed, U.S. Army Retired, former faculty member West Point Dr. William Lester, Professor Political Science, Jacksonville State University, Fulbright Scholar and published author Larry Huff, Executive Editor of Yellowhammer News, statewide online publication Sen. Luther Strange, who was appointed to the seat in February following its vacancy when Jeff Sessions accepted the U.S. Attorney position, was invited to the forum but was unable to attend.
House Freedom Caucus endorses Mo Brooks for U.S. Senate
North Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Meadows, who chairs the House Freedom Caucus, is endorsing Congressman Mo Brooks in Alabama’s U.S. Senate Special Election. Breitbart News is reporting on an email sent this week by Brooks’ campaign touting Meadows’ support: “Mo Brooks is a fighter. He has the most conservative voting record in the Alabama congressional delegation. He’s got an A-rating from Numbers USA and the NRA. He has proven himself to be a proven constitutional conservative in the mold of Ted Cruz, Mike Lee, Rand Paul and Ben Sasse.” “We need more like him in the Senate,” Meadows said, adding: “Mo is a battle-tested conservative who is committed to restoring America’s greatness … “The establishment sees Mo as a real threat. They would like nothing better than to see Mo defeated and they’re pulling out all the stops to make sure he doesn’t win … “The road our country has been on these last several years is simply not sustainable. We need conservatives who will go to the Senate and be a part of the fight–not part of the club.” “I’m all in to help Mo Brooks defeat the DC establishment and send him to the Senate. I hope you are too,” the email concludes. Jeff Sessions previously held the Senate seat, before becoming U.S. Attorney General. Then-Gov. Robert Bentley appointed former Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, with newly named Gov. Kay Ivey announcing an Aug. 15 primary, with a general election Dec. 12. Nine other Republicans are in the running, including incumbent Strange, former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, State Sen. Trip Pittman, and Christian Coalition head Randy Brinson. Democratic candidates include former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones. If there is no majority winner in the Aug. 15 primary, a runoff will be Sept. 26. The winner of the Republican primary will likely win the general election, given the state’s electoral history.
Steve Flowers: Sizing up the U.S. Senate sprint
Well, folks, the field is set for the sprint to fill the open U.S. Senate seat of Jeff Sessions. The primary Aug. 15 is less than three months away. There will probably be a run-off Sept. 26, and the winner of that GOP run-off will be our Junior Senator from Alabama. In the Heart of Dixie, winning the Republican nomination is tantamount to election. The Dec. 12 General Election will be a coronation for the winner of the Sept. 26 Republican primary. It was an interesting closing day of qualifying Wednesday. It was unbelievable how many people showed up to qualify. Eleven candidates are running in the Republican primary and amazingly, the Democrats fielded eight candidates. It was like ants coming out of the woodwork. It was similar to our olden days of Alabama politics when everybody and their brother ran for an open governor’s race or a seldom seen open Senate race. We ought to refer to this race as an ant race rather than a horse race. Of the 19 candidates, only about five are viable contenders. Therefore, about 14 of these folks are running for the fun of it. In fact, we use to refer to them as “run for the fun of it” candidates. The most colorful run for the fun of it candidate in Alabama political history was Ralph “Shorty” Price. Shorty ran for governor every four years. He usually finished last. His slogan was smoke Tampa Nugget cigars, drink Budweiser beer and vote for Shorty Price. His campaign platform declared that he would change the term of governor from four years to two years. He would say if you are not smart enough to steal enough as governor in two years, you ain’t smart enough to be governor. My guess is that if someone put Shorty’s name on this Aug. 15 ballot, he would run sixth out of the 12-person GOP field, posthumously. He would probably win the Democratic nomination from the grave. The party leaders were probably glad to see them all show up. The raked in $3,400 a pop from each qualifier. You wonder what motivates those also-ran candidates to put their names on the ballot. Maybe they just want to see their name on the ballot, maybe their Aunt Susie left them $5,000 with the stipulation that they had to use it to run for the U.S. Senate, or they want to tell their grandchildren one day that they ran for the U.S. Senate. They can omit that they ran 11th. Maybe they won a 4-H speaking contest when they were in school and figured their destiny was to be a U.S. Senator. It is similar to someone trying to walk on to Bear Bryant’s or Nick Saban’s football team, and Bryant or Saban grants them permission to get a uniform if only for a day and try out. That bold soul who had to be hit by John Hannah like a tackling dummy can truthfully say to their grandson, “I played football at Alabama for Bear Bryant.” Actually, Alabama’s Sixth Congressional Jefferson/Shelby U.S. Representative, Gary Palmer, was elected to Congress by his doing the above thing while in college at Alabama. Some people suspect that his saying he played for Bear Bryant helped propel him to victory when he was elected a few years ago. Well, let’s give them just due and list them for you. I will list them in order of how I would handicap the field as the race for the Republican nomination begins. The two frontrunners are Roy Moore, followed by Luther Strange. Congressman Mo Brooks is within striking distance of Big Luther. State Senator Trip Pittman and Dr. Randy Brinson could be players if they come up with $5 million to spend on the race. Right now, they are unknown to more than 95 percent of the electorate. If Mo Brooks can raise and spend $3 million, or if Brinson or Pittman can pony up $5 million, one of these three could probably knock Luther out of the run-off. Roy Moore is in the run-off – he leads the crowded field. These six brave souls are in for the fun of it. Hopefully, their next-door neighbor or grandmother will vote for them, James Paul Baretta, Joseph Breault, Dom Gentile, Karen Jackson, Mary Maxwell and Bryan Peeples. Enjoy the race. I will keep you posted. Next week I will analyze and handicap the race in-depth. See you next week. ___ Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column appears in over 60 Alabama newspapers. He served 16 years in the state Legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
Del Marsh not running for U.S. Senate seat
State Sen. Del Marsh will not be seeking the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Marsh, an Anniston Republican, has served as Alabama Senate President Pro Tem since 2010. Currently in the race for the Republican nomination are Sen. Luther Strange, who had been appointed by former Gov. Robert Bentley in February, Huntsville Congressman Mo Brooks, former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore, state Rep. Ed Henry of Hartselle, Christian Coalition of Alabama President Randy Brinson, Dominic Gentile and Birmingham business executive Bryan Peeples. AL.com is reporting that 5 p.m. today is the deadline for candidates enter the special election for U.S. Senator. The Republican primary is Aug. 15. According to the Alabama Republican Party, also qualifying for the race are Mary Maxwell and Joseph F. Breault. Democratic candidates include Michael Hansen of the environmental advocacy group Gasp; former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones; Mobile resident Robert Kennedy Jr.; and Orange Beach’s Jason Fisher, who serves as vice president of direct marketing firm Ruffalo Noel-Levitz. Today’s announcement puts end to speculation Marsh would enter the race. Earlier this month, Marsh met with members of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. “I don’t consider Gov. Bentley’s hand-chosen senator to be the incumbent,” Marsh told NRSC officials. “I think the people will choose that in an election cycle.”
U.S. Senate candidates Roy Moore, Luther Strange, Ed Henry report income, debt
Even through suspension, former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore had a decent payday last year, taking in $150,000, mostly through speaking engagements. Al.com is reporting that Moore was one of three Republican candidates seeking the U.S. Senate seat filed documents this month with the Alabama Ethics Commission. Also filing was Sen. Luther Strange, the former Attorney General who now holds the seat. Elected officials are required to report economic interests, detailing income and expenses. Moore, Strange and Hartsville Republican State Rep. Ed Henry each submitted ethics statements. Dr. Randy Brinson, former head of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, is not an elected official and therefore not required to file. Last month, Gov. Kay Ivey moved up the Senate special election primary for Aug. 15; the general election is Dec. 12. Records show Moore made $181,000 a year before his suspension over his defiance of a Supreme Court order on same–sex marriage. According to Al.com, Moore also listed speaking fees of between $50,000 — $150,000 in 2016 and Social Security income between $10,000 — $50,000. Moore’s wife, Kayla, earned a salary of between $10,000 — $50,000 from Nichols Construction. She also made over $10,000 last year as president of the Foundation for Moral Law, which Roy Moore once led. Moore has two bank debts of less than $25,000 each, and a credit union loan totaling between $150,000 and $250,000. As for Strange, he earned about $168,000 as Alabama Attorney General, and earns $174,000 a year as U.S. Senator. Strange’s wife holds a part–time job at the Alys Stephens Center at UAB — earning more than $10,000; $1,000–$10,000 in director’s fees from Oakworth Capital Bank; $1,000 — $10,000 in rental income from condominiums in North Carolina and Needle Rush Point in Pensacola; pension income of $10,000–$50,000; and investment income of $50,000–$150,000. Strange’s property in Lineville, North Carolina, has a listed value of $250,000, generating less than $10,000 in rental income. The senator’s debts include $150,000–$250,000 and mortgages between $150,000–$250,000. He also lists an individual or business debt of between $25,000. Al.com notes that Henry, as a state representative, is considered a part–time employee earning $42,830 annually. He reports interests in two businesses: My Practice 24 and Lightwire Solutions. Henry owns 50 percent of My Practice 24, a chronic care management system servicing physicians, and 30 percent of Lightwire, an information technology company in Decatur, each providing more than $10,000 in income. Henry’s debts include less than $25,000 each and mortgage debt of between $50,000–$100,000.
Alabama Senate leader Del Marsh makes decision on U.S. Senate race
The Republican state Senate leader says he’s made a decision on if he will run for U.S. Senate but won’t yet announce his plans. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh said Tuesday that an official statement will come “later” but would not specify when. The wealthy Anniston lawmaker has deep ties to the state’s business community and could self-fund his campaign. Marsh also would not rule out a 2018 run for governor. Gov. Kay Ivey set a special election for the U.S. Senate seat in December, causing a flurry of announcements from hopefuls such as the chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama Dr. Randy Brinson and Hartselle Republican Rep. Ed Henry. Former state Attorney General Luther Strange currently holds the office and said he’ll run to keep his seat. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Christian Coalition head Randy Brinson announces Senate run
Christian Coalition of Alabama leader Dr. Randy Brinson will be seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, another in the increasingly crowded field to challenge interim Sen. Luther Strange. The Montgomery Advertiser reports that Brinson, who also is the head of Redeem the Vote, made the announcement Monday in a Facebook post, saying he had insight into voter frustrations with “the corruption, self-dealing, and venality of politicians at all levels of our government.” “I am looking forward to working with a pre-eminent campaign team and running a modern, well-funded campaign that will draw a contrast between myself, as a voter advocate and faith leader, and the incumbent, and other career politicians running for this office,” Brinson wrote. To run for the seat, Brinson added he would resign from both the Christian Coalition and Redeem the Vote. Brinson’s advantage in the high-profile race is a connection the state’s faith-based community, but also renew questions about ties between the Christian Coalition of Alabama’s connections and the gambling industry. Brinson founded Redeem the Vote in 2003 to boost turnout among faith-based voters, claiming to have registered 78,000 voters during the 2004 presidential race. Redeem the Vote boasts a substantial mailing list, using it to bolster certain candidates. In March, the group announced a campaign to bring an “anti-corruption message” against then-Gov. Robert Bentley, who stepped down after a scandal involving an illicit affair, and Strange, who some believe received the Senate post as payment for dropping an investigation against Bentley “We have a message, it is this: we are not going to take it anymore,” Brinson told reporters at the time. The Advertiser notes that Brinson became a leader of the Christian Coalition in 2006, after a disagreement between the state and national Christian Coalition. Also, a congressional investigation in 2005 found that the group accepted $850,000 in 2000 from the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, who operate casinos in that state, after moving the money through the Washington D.C.-based Americans for Tax Reform. The Christian Coalition of Alabama, under Brinson’s leadership, supported increased penalties for illegal gambling machines, while limiting electronic bingo to dog tracks in Birmingham and Mobile. Brinson said he was endorsing a bill to keep gambling contained, a move that was criticized by Christian Action Alabama, headed by former CCA director John Giles. Giles had accused gambling owners, such as Milton McGregor of VictoryLand, of trying to take over the organization. Brinson later sued Giles to recover old organization assets, a suit that was later dropped. Republican primaries for the Senate special election are Aug. 15; runoffs, if needed, will be Sept. 26. The general election is scheduled Dec. 12.
