Tommy Tuberville in 2007 via Wikipedia.
In an update to the Alabama Senate race, Senator Doug Jones’ (D) Republican challengers, former Senator Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III and former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville, more or less split the primary vote, 33% to 32% in Tuberville’s favor. This does not make Tuberville the Republican nominee; he would have had to win 50% or more of the vote for that. Instead, the other challengers are removed from the race, and a runoff will occur March 31.
If the campaigning becomes bitter, it’s possible the Republican Party will be riven with recriminations, permitting Jones to retain his seat. It would appear that President Trump has decided to make this a bit bitter:
This is what happens to someone who loyally gets appointed Attorney General of the United States & then doesn’t have the wisdom or courage to stare down & end the phony Russia Witch Hunt. Recuses himself on FIRST DAY in office, and the Mueller Scam begins! https://t.co/2jGnRgOS6h
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2020
For those who accept Trump’s assertions of total innocence, it won’t be hard to transfer their loyalties to Tuberville. But for those who have their suspicions … well, quite honestly, they probably didn’t participate in the primary. Sessions and Tuberville were essentially competing to see who could be more sickeningly loyal to an inveterate liar.
Still, the supporters of the losing candidate for the Republican nomination may still stay home in a snit. Useful polls should begin appearing after the March 31 runoff.
