Bentley interviews Roy Moore for potential Senate seat

Gov. Robert Bentley’s office said Wednesday the governor interviewed eight candidates this week to replace U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, including suspended Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore.

In addition to Moore, Bentley interviewed U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville; Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston and Republican Sens. Arthur Orr of Decatur and Cam Ward of Alabaster. Sens. Bill Hightower, R-Mobile and Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, were also interviewed, along with House Ways and Means Education chairman Bill Poole, R-Tuscaloosa.

Kayla Moore, the chief justice’s wife, confirmed the interview in an email, saying it took place Tuesday.

“He would consider it an honor if appointed to the office of U. S. Senate,” she wrote.

President-elect Donald Trump will nominate Sessions for attorney general when he begins his term next month. Bentley will appoint Sessions’ successor and schedule a special election for the seat following the appointment.

Yasamie August, a spokeswoman for Bentley, said in an email Wednesday that Moore – suspended in September over an order telling probate judges they had a “ministerial duty” not to issue same-sex marriage licenses – was “one of the top picks” in a survey sent to more than 400 members of the Alabama Republican Executive Committee last month.

Bentley interviewed Associate Justice Glenn Murdock; Republican Rep. Connie Rowe of Jasper and former Republican Rep. Perry Hooper of Montgomery last week.

Ward, who expressed interest in the appointment, said in a phone interview Wednesday he sat down with Bentley for about an hour on Monday. He declined to discuss specifics of the interview but said the governor asked him “primarily about issues facing Alabama.”

“He asked a lot about the federal issues facing the state,” he said. “I think the interviews he’s conducting, he’s being very thoughtful and very thorough.”

Hooper, who co-chaired Trump’s Alabama campaign, said in an interview earlier this week he had a “very positive” interview with the governor, saying Bentley wanted to know what would take place in the first 100 days of a Trump administration.

“I went over Donald Trump’s contract with America, issue by issue, (and) specifically on those provisions and legislative initiatives that can help the great state of Alabama,” he said. “He liked that.”

Brooks, who said this was his second interview for the position, said Bentley was interested in Trump's legislative agenda.

"He wanted my position on the pros and cons of Donald Trump’s first 100 days plan, which covers 20 or 30 areas," he said.

A spokesman for Marsh Wednesday also confirmed the Senate leader’s interview but declined further comment. A message seeking comment was left Wednesday with Orr.

Bentley will have to schedule a special election after appointing Sessions' replacement, though under state law he has broad discretion to select the date. Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said earlier this month he would seek Sessions’ seat in a special election, and other people may get into the fray. The winner would serve out the remainder of Sessions' term, which runs through 2020.

The Court of the Judiciary has twice removed Moore from the bench after confrontations with the federal judiciary. He has appealed his latest suspension, arguing his order was meant as guidance. Even if he were to win his appeal, age limits would prevent Moore from seeking re-election as chief justice in 2018.

Moore has been quiet about his future political plans. While the chief justice has name recognition and a strong base of support, he has difficulty with key Republican constituencies. The business community soured on Moore after he wrote opinions in 2001 questioning arbitration laws.