Roy Moore’s campaign manager Rich Hobson challenges Martha Roby for Congress
Roy Moore’s former campaign manager announced on Wednesday he’s launching a primary challenge against Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby. Rich Hobson, 56, made the announcement Wednesday from the steps of the state capitol in Montgomery, Ala. where he outlined his platform which includes issues such as bolstering the military, returning to prayer, and opposing both abortion and LGBT rights. He was also sure to assert his loyalty to President Donald Trump‘s agenda, especially his stance on immigration. Hobson joins State Rep. Barry Moore and Army veteran Tommy Amason who are also challenging Roby in the Republican primary. In 2017, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) identified Roby as their sole target in the Yellowhammer State in their efforts to flip the House after she won her seat by just eight points in 2016. Roby’s Chief of Staff Torrie Matous pointed to the DCCC’s targeting of the seat as a reason why Republicans need a proven candidate like Roby, she commented in response to Hobson’s announcement. “In the 2010 election, Martha Roby beat Democrat Bobby Bright to turn AL-02 red again. With Democrats in Alabama more energized than ever before and Nancy Pelosi targeting our district, it is critical to nominate a responsible conservative who can keep this vital seat in Republicans’ hands,” said Matous. “From her work on behalf of our veterans and the military — including her recent efforts to help bring the F-35 mission to Montgomery — to her support of Alabama’s farmers, Martha Roby is the clear conservative choice for this seat.” The Alabama Republican primary is June 5. The filing deadline is February 9.
Steve Flowers: Are we now a two party state?
As we enter the 2018 campaign season, many of you have asked me to look back and analyze the 2017 Special Election Senate race and explain in depth what happened and why. The most asked question is how could a Democrat win a U.S. Senate seat in Alabama and does this mean that we are now possibly a two party state? I will give you numerous answers, however, the simple answer to why a Democrat won is that Roy Moore was the Republican nominee. Are we a state that can go either way in an open U.S. Senate seat? As we have just seen, it is possible but not probable. The Democrat, Doug Jones, won in the perfect storm. We will probably never have this same scenario again. There are two maxims in politics that over my years of following politics never fail and become truer and truer. The more things change, the more they stay the same. One is money is the mother’s milk of politics. The second is that more people vote against someone or something than vote for someone or something. To the first adage, money is the mother’s milk of politics, nine times out of ten when one candidate out spends the other the one who spends the most usually wins. When one outspends the other 3-to-1, they always win. In this race, the National Democratic Party saw an opening and they seized on it. The people in blue America are mad as hell that Donald Trump upset Hillary Clinton. Our senate race was the only race in town or should we say the country. Not only do Democrats despise Trump, but when they heard that Alabama had a Republican candidate that is a pro-God, pro-gun, gun toting, antiabortion, horse riding, religious zealot that said that he was not only against gay marriage but said that gays were legally committing bestiality, the nation saw Roy Moore as a little extreme in today’s America. In addition, a good many people around the country believe he is a pedophile. The liberal and gay money flowed into here by the barrel. It came from New York and San Francisco and all liberal pockets in America. The bottom line is the Democrat, Doug Jones, outspent the Republican, Roy Moore, 6-to-1; 18 million to 3 million and that does not count the soft money spent by the National Democratic Party that was spent on getting out the vote. The book was written on Moore from the get go. The first poll and the last poll revealed that 30 percent of Alabamians would vote for Roy Moore come hell or high water. However, he is so polarizing that a whopping 70 percent said that they would not vote for him under any circumstance. The reason that he won the Republican nomination was that his 30 percent became accentuated due to turnout. His voters are more ardent, fervent and frankly older. Moore’s 30 percent did indeed vote on December 12. The problem for Moore was that the 70 percent that detest him voted more than was expected. The biggest part of that 70 percent was African American voters who voted in epic, unparalleled proportions. It was statewide. It was not only in the urban counties of Jefferson, Montgomery, and Mobile and the Black Belt. This tidal wave occurred in all 67 counties. African American voters came together in a crescendo and sent Roy Moore to a watery grave. Doug Jones owes his election to the Black voters and he knows it. A significant number of urbane, upscale, more educated business establishment Republicans voted against Moore, pragmatically. The image that Moore portrayed to the nation was bad for business and economic development. The best example of this was the results in Madison County. Huntsville is Alabama’s crown jewel and economic engine. They generally vote Republican. Moore lost Madison County by 20,000 votes. Senator Richard Shelby contributed to Moore’s defeat. His refusing to vote for Moore and his open acknowledgement that he cast a write-in vote for an unknown Republican gave credence and impetus for other Republicans to follow suit. There were about 22,000 write-in votes. Moore lost by 21,000. How does this play into 2018. It gives Walt Maddox and Sue Bell Cobb hope and credence that under the right and perfect circumstances a Democrat can win. However, it probably does not change the fact that a Republican gubernatorial or senatorial candidate will be favored to win 60/40. Luther Strange or Mo Brooks would have won the Senate race 60/40. 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.
Alabama certifies Doug Jones’s victory over Roy Moore in Senate election
Alabama has officially certified the election results of Democrat Doug Jones’s historic upset Senate victory over Republican Roy Moore on Thursday. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, Attorney General Steve Marshall and Secretary of State John Merrill signed off on results from all the Yellowhammer State’s 67 counties. The certification included both provisional and military ballots in the total, leaving Jones’ with a margin of victory of 21,924 votes with more than 1.3 million ballots cast. Jones said he’s eager to get to work in the new year. “I am looking forward to going to work for the people of Alabama in the new year,” Jones said in a statement. “As I said on election night, our victory marks a new chapter for our state and the nation. I will be an independent voice and work to find common ground with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get Washington back on track and fight to make our country a better place for all.” Thursday’s certification follows Moore’s refusal to concede in the wake of the initial election results earlier this month, insisting on certification of the votes and provisional ballots. On Wednesday, he filed a lawsuit alleging voter fraud may have occurred and called for a delay in the certification of the results. His complaint was denied by an Alabama judge shortly before the state was due to certify the results on Thursday. Moore issued a statement following the certification, calling the election “fraudulent” and slamming the “Washington establishment.” “Election fraud experts across the country have agreed that this was a fraudulent election,” Moore wrote. “… I’ve had to fight not only the Democrats but also the Republican Senate Leadership Fund and over $50 million in opposition spending from the Washington establishment. I have stood for the truth about God and the Constitution for the people of Alabama.”
Roy Moore files lawsuit to delay Alabama Senate results
An election complaint was filed Wednesday on behalf of former U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore and his campaign in the Circuit Court of Montgomery, Ala. in an effort to block state officials from declaring Democrat Doug Jones the official victor in Alabama’s Senate special election. In the complaint, Moore alleged there was voter fraud and called on Secretary of State John Merrill to postpone the certification of the Dec. 12 election results until a thorough investigation has concluded. “This is not a Republican or Democrat issue as election integrity should matter to everyone,” Moore said in a statement late Wednesday night announcing the lawsuit. “We call on Secretary of State Merrill to delay certification until there is a thorough investigation of what three independent election experts agree took place: election fraud sufficient to overturn the outcome of the election.” According to Moore, three national election integrity experts reached the same independent conclusion: “with a reasonable degree of statistical and mathematical certainty… election fraud occurred.” However, Merrill has gone on record saying it is “highly unlikely” that Jones would not be certified as the winner, given the unofficial results: — Jones received 671,151 votes (50 percent), to Moore’s 650,436 votes (48 percent). With an additional 22,819 (2 percent) write-ins. Merrill must now certify the votes, which includes counting provisional and military ballots. He said the certification process will start no earlier than December 26, and not later than Jan. 3. Certification is expected to be complete Thursday, Dec. 28.
Roy Moore releases Christmas poem, still refuses to concede to Doug Jones
Former-Republican U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore released a self-written poem in a message to his supporters late on Christmas Eve. Moore recited the poem via a video released on Facebook about a young girl whose father died and a Christmas miracle that followed. “Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!” the post accompanying the video read. The former Alabama Chief Justice lost to Democrat Doug Jones on Dec. 12, but has yet to concede the race pending certification of the votes by Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill. Merrill has said the votes would be certified Thursday, Dec. 28. Watch Moore’s video-poem below:
Ala. dad protested Roy Moore, honors daughter’s memory on Ellen
Nathan Mathis, a 74-year old peanut farmer from Alabama who recently found internet fame for protesting against former Senate candidate Roy Moore in honor of his daughter, visited The Ellen DeGeneres Show last week to discuss his late daughter and what drove him to protest. Mathis said his daughter Patti Sue was gay and come out to him as a senior in high school. She later committed suicide in 1995. Matthis claims at the time he was against her lifestyle choice, but has since become an advocate for gay rights. “I was once anti-gay myself. I said bad things to my daughter, which I regret,” he told NBC News as he protested Monday night. During Alabama’s recent U.S. Senate election between Republican Moore and his Democratic opponent Doug Jones, Mathis now famously held a sign claiming Moore called his child a “pervert” and denounced Moore’s stance against homosexuality. In an emotional interview on Friday’s episode of “Ellen,” Mathis explained he didn’t accept his daughter for being gay until doctors explained there was nothing wrong with her. “We took her to other doctors, psychiatrists, every one told my daughter, ’Patti, you can’t help the way you are. That’s what made me change,” Mathis told Ellen. “The last thing we needed was Roy Moore in Washington,” Mathis continued. “Roy Moore needs to be somewhere gettin’ psychiatric help, that’s where he needs to be.” In honor of Patti Sue, Ellen donated $25,000 courtesy of Shutterfly to “The Trevor Project,” a charity that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to gay youth. Watch the interview below:
Donald Trump calls on Roy Moore to concede Senate race
President Donald Trump called on Republican Roy Moore to concede the Alabama U.S. Senate after losing to Democrat Doug Jones by more than 20,000 votes Tuesday night. “I think he should,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House on Friday morning. “He tried. I want to support, always, I want to support the person running. We need the seat. We would like to have the seat.” Since his defeat, Moore has refused to concede, insisting on the official vote count from Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, and that provisional and military ballots be counted. “In this race, we have not received the final count to include military and provisional ballots,” Moore said in a video statement. “This has been a very close race, and we are awaiting certification by the secretary of state.” The certification process, by the Secretary of State, will start no earlier than December 26, and not later than Jan. 3. Merrill has said it is “highly unlikely” that Jones would not be certified as the winner, given the unofficial results: — Jones received 671,151 votes (50 percent), to Moore’s 650,436 votes (48 percent). With an additional 22,819 (2 percent) write-ins. The Moore campaign can call for a recount, but would have to pay for it unless the margin is within half a percentage point. One of Moore’s most ardent supporters, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, has joined Trump in calling on the former candidate to concede, , a source familiar with the conversation told CNN.
Roy Moore refuses to concede, saying ‘immorality sweeps over our land’
Former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore refused to concede the special U.S. Senate election in a fiery video statement released Wednesday night, warning Alabamians “the heart and soul of our country is at stake.” “Today, we no longer recognize the universal truth that God is the author of our life and liberty,” the former Republican candidate said. “Abortion, sodomy and materialism have taken the place of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Moore lost the election to Democrat Doug Jones Tuesday night, but in the video, Moore said his campaign is still waiting for the official vote count from Alabama officials. But Moore believes that provisional and military ballots could still swing the race in his favor. “This has been a very close race and we are awaiting certification by the Secretary of State,” Moore Said in the video. Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill has said it is “highly unlikely” that Jones would not be certified as the winner, given the unofficial results: — Jones received 671,151 votes (50 percent), to Moore’s 650,436 votes (48 percent). With an additional 22,819 (2 percent) write-ins. The Moore campaign can call for a recount, but would have to pay for it unless the margin is within half a percentage point. In the video, Moore went on to assert the political process has been “tainted” by “baseless” allegations and money from outside groups. “Immorality sweeps over our land. Even our political process has been affected with baseless and false allegations, which have become more relevant than the true issues which affect our country,” Moore said in the four minute and 46 second video. “This election was tainted by over $50 million from outside groups who want to retain power in their own corrupt ideology.” Watch Moore’s statement below: Read Moore’s full remarks below: Tomorrow, my wife and I will celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary. I want to thank her and all my family, for standing with me through this long and arduous campaign. And of course, I want to thank all of you who have stood with me in this very important battle for the future of our country. We are indeed in a struggle to preserve our republic, our civilization, and our religion and to set free a suffering humanity. And the battle rages on. In this race, we have not received the final count to include military and provisional ballots. This has been a very close race and we are awaiting certification by the Secretary of State. This particular race was watched not only by the people of this state, but by the entire nation, and many around the world. Why? Because I believe the heart and soul of our country is at stake. Like most Americans I am concerned about the future of our country – both financially and morally. After the election of Donald Trump, a little over a year ago I saw a window of hope and an opportunity that we could return to our founding principles and the Constitution of the United States which has governed us for over 200 years. Our forefathers recognized in the Declaration of Independence that all men and women are created equal and endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That American Dream has today been tainted by corrupt politics, and a government which is become out of control and out of touch with the people. Many do not share the vision of those who built this country. Today, we no longer recognize the universal truth that God is the author of our life and liberty. Abortion, sodomy, and materialism have taken the place of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In the words of Abraham Lincoln: “We have been the recipient of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved in many years in peace and prosperity, we have grown in number, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown, but we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied, enriched and strengthened us and we have vainly imagined in the deceitfulness of our own hearts that all of these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom or virtue of our own.” We have stopped prayer in our schools. We have killed over 60 million of our unborn children. We have redefined marriage and destroyed the basis of family, which is the building block of our Country. Our borders are not secure. Our economy is faltering under an enormous national debt. We have a huge drug problem. We have even begun to recognize the right of a man to claim to be a woman, and vice versa. We have allowed Judges and justices to rule over our Constitution, and we have become slaves to their tyranny. Immorality sweeps over our land. Even our political process has been affected with baseless and false allegations which have become more relevant than the issues which affect our country. This election was tainted by over $50 million dollars from outside groups who want to retain power and their corrupt ideology. No longer is this about Republican or Democratic control. It has truly been said that there is not a dime’s worth of difference between them. It is about a Washington establishment which will not listen to the cries of its citizenry – and the battle rages on. Together we must stand against those who would take from us our Country. In the words of the Holy Scripture: “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.” The sacrifices of brave men and women throughout our history cry out to us, the living, to be dedicated here to the unfinished
John Merrill says recount in Ala. Senate race unlikely to help Roy Moore
Secretary of State of Alabama John Merrill told CNN’s Jake Tapper it was “highly unlikely” that Democrat Doug Jones would not be certified as the winner of Tuesday’s special election for the U.S. Senate seat. “I would find that highly unlikely to occur, Jake,” Merrill told Tapper when asked whether he expected anyone other than Jones to be Alabama’s next Senator. “The people of Alabama have spoken tonight,” Merrill told CNN. “They’ve made their voice heard loud and clear. The most important thing to remember now is the process needs to be followed to ensure that the integrity, the safety and security of the election is preserved.” Merrill’s on-air comments came late Tuesday night in the wake of Jones’ Republican opponent, Roy Moore telling his supporters he isn’t conceding yet. “When the vote is this close … it’s not over,” Moore told supporters late Tuesday night after Jones declared victory. Merrill made it very clear that an automatic recount had not been triggered based on the numbers between the two candidates Tuesday night — Jones receiving 671,151 votes (50 percent), to Moore’s 650,436 votes (48 percent). With an additional 22,819 (2 percent) write-ins. He confirmed with CNN that any candidate can request a recount, if they pay for it on their own. But he personally believes it’s very unlikely Tuesday night’s results would change. Merrill must now certify the votes, which includes counting provisional and military ballots. He said the certification process will start no earlier than December 26, and not later than Jan. 3. Pending completion of the certification, Moore’s campaign may request a recount.
Outside groups react to Doug Jones defeating Roy Moore in Alabama Senate race
News outlets reported late Tuesday night that Doug Jones defeated Roy Moore in Alabama’s special election for the U.S. Senate seat previously held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The Democrat emerged victorious in the deeply conservative, red state over Republican Moore, whose campaign was embroiled with allegations of sexual misconduct involving underage girls over 30 years ago. Here’s what outside groups are saying of Jones’ victory: Southern Poverty Law Center | President Richard Cohen: It’s a great day for Alabama. We’ve seen through the demagoguery of a man who has been kicked out of office twice for putting his religious beliefs above the U.S. Constitution. We’ve seen through the hypocrisy of a man who has preyed on young girls while suggesting that gays and lesbians should be executed in order to protect children from them. It’s a great day for every person in Alabama who rejects bigotry and values the rule of law. House Majority PAC | Executive Director Charlie Kelly: Congratulations to Senator-Elect Doug Jones on a tremendous victory in Alabama. In what was deemed an improbable win, voters across Alabama sent a loud and clear message that will resonate across the country—the politics of progress and solutions defeated the politics of hate and division. Moreover, it’s clear that voters are tired of the failed policies pushed by Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump. While Doug Jones put forward a thoughtful, results-oriented agenda focused on lifting up hardworking Alabama families, Roy Moore ran a negative, dishonest, scandal ridden campaign focused on bitterness and stoking cultural divides. This victory proves that voters won’t stand for the toxic policies and divisive rhetoric pushed by a candidate like Roy Moore and a Republican party that supported his appalling campaign. People For the American Way | President Michael Keegan: Tonight, Alabamans emphatically rejected Roy Moore’s long history of extremism—and they rejected a candidate running hard on the Donald Trump playbook. Today’s election is a victory for the country, a victory for the people of Alabama, a victory for basic decency and a victory for the women who were attacked and smeared simply for standing up and telling their stories. … Doug Jones should be congratulated on his win tonight. And we should take note of the fact that he did it by standing up for his values, not running from them. That’s the path that’s going to help Democrats in 2018 and in 2020. Democracy for America | Executive Director Charles Chamberlain: Doug Jones’ victory tonight in deep-red Alabama isn’t just a crushing blow to Donald Trump’s agenda of bigotry, hate, and division, it’s a powerful reminder that progressives can win everywhere if we stand up for an inclusive populist political agenda and build campaigns that prioritize, energize, and mobilize the new American majority of Black, brown, and progressive white voters. Any Republican who thinks they dodged a bullet by having the sexist, racist, and homophobic child predator their party nominated lose in the general election needs to have their head examined. Roy Moore’s candidacy and the Republican Party’s willingness to aid it has exposed a gaping wound of depraved moral indifference and political hypocrisy within the GOP that no single loss can cauterize.
Politicians weigh-in as Doug Jones wins Alabama Senate seat
Doug Jones became the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama in a quarter of a century on Tuesday night when he bested former Alabama Chief Justice, Republican Roy Moore. Following Jones’ victory, politicians from both sides of the aisle took to social to weigh-in on the results. See their reactions below: Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell: Honored to welcome the Alabama Senator-elect Doug Jones to the United States Senate!! #RightsideofHistory 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton: Tonight, Alabama voters elected a senator who’ll make them proud. And if Democrats can win in Alabama, we can — and must — compete everywhere. Onward! Democratic U.S. Sen. from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren: Tonight Alabama is sending a powerful message across the country. The American people will fight back against bigotry, hate &, yes, pedophilia – & reject a man totally unfit to serve in the US Senate. Republican, Democrat, Independent – on this, there will be no compromise. Republican U.S. Sen. from Arizona Jeff Flake: Decency wins. Republican Gov. of Ohio John Kasich: Thankfully, today enough Republicans chose country over party. Tomorrow we must redouble our efforts to support candidates worthy of the office they seek. #TwoPaths California 43rd District U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters: How many diet cokes did Trump consume while he gulped and waited for the defeat of his pedophile candidate?? #swishswish Democratic U.S. Sen. from New York Chuck Schumer: Roy Moore was an awful candidate & should never have gotten to the Senate. But make no mistake, just like in VA, Dems are energized, focused more on the middle class & those struggling to get there, & things are looking better & better for 2018. Doug Jones will be an outstanding Senator who will represent Alabama well. He was a great candidate and will be an even better Senator. Former U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden: Doug Jones. Thank you, Alabama. You’ve elected a man of incredible integrity, grit, and character. A fighter for working class and middle class Alabamians. He is going to make you proud in the Senate.
Fox News, AP calls Alabama Senate race for Doug Jones
Fox News and the Associated Press have both called the Alabama special election for Doug Jones, making him the first Alabama Democrat to be elected to the U.S. Senate in nearly a quarter of a century. The once long-shot Democrat bested his opponent Republican Roy Moore following a tumultuous campaign season. He had 49.6 percent of the vote when The Associated Press called the race with 89 percent of precincts reporting. Moore, a former Alabama chief justice, had 48.8 percent Jones’ win shrinks the Republicans majority to 51 seats in the Senate.
