AL congressional delegation mostly out of Senate race

If Tuesday was about who’s jumping into the U.S. Senate race, Wednesday was about who’s sitting by the track.

Most members of the Alabama congressional delegation, and several prominent Democrats, ruled themselves out of the August primary for the seat, currently held by U.S. Sen. Luther Strange, a Republican.

“He is not,” said Shea Snider Miller, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Anniston, when asked if the congressman was running.

Republicans scrambled to file papers Tuesday after Gov. Kay Ivey moved the primary for the Senate seat from June 2018 to August. Runoffs for nominations, if needed, will occur in September, with the general election taking place in December.

Strange will seek election to the seat but could face a crowded field. Rep. Ed Henry, R-Hartselle, who led the impeachment drive against Bentley, said Tuesday he will seek the GOP nomination for the seat. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston and Sens. Slade Blackwell, R-Montevallo and Trip Pittman, R-Montrose are considering campaigns.

The senator, formerly the state’s attorney general, will also face questions about his appointment to the seat by former Gov. Robert Bentley while his office was investigating the governor. Bentley last week pleaded guilty to two campaign finance violations and resigned the office, and Henry made it clear in his kick-off announcement he would raise the issue.

Strange, though, has advantages, including the ability to raise money and experience in statewide campaigns, something his opponents to this point largely lack.

Happy where they are

The senator’s Washington colleagues, for the most part, plan to sit the race out. The office of U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Haleyville, said Wednesday he was getting encouragement to run and could make a decision by the end of next month.

But other members of the Alabama congressional delegation are staying put. U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, the only member of the state delegation who withdrew her endorsement of President Donald Trump after audio of Trump bragging about sexual aggression surfaced and -- alone among her peers -- stuck by it last year – does not plan to seek the seat.

“With her new committee assignments on Judiciary and Defense Appropriations, Rep. Roby is focused on growing the contributions she is making on behalf of Alabama’s 2nd District in the House,” Todd Stacy, a spokesman for Roby, said in a statement Wednesday.

U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, will also not run for the race.

“I think Luther is fine,” Palmer said in a brief phone interview Wednesday. “I wouldn’t want to get in a race with him. We’re friends 20 years. I think I’m right where I’m supposed to be.”

Seth Morrow, a spokesman for U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Mobile, said in an email Byrne "looks forward to seeing the (Senate) field taking shape," but did not answer a question as to whether Byrne would be part of that field.

A messages seeking comment was left with U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Madison, Wednesday.

Thin Democratic field

The Democratic field may be thin, and the chances of victory appear small. Democrats have not won a U.S. Senate election in the state since 1992, and the party’s structure has burned down almost to the foundation after two disastrous state elections in 2010 and 2014.

The only declared candidate so far is medical marijuana advocate Ron Crumpton. Prominent Democrats appear to be staying away. U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham, whose district includes portions of Montgomery, will not seek the Democratic nomination for the position.

“She does not plan to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Luther Strange, and will continue to do her work serving the constituents of the Seventh Congressional District,” Derrick Richardson, a spokeswoman for Sewell, said Wednesday.

Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, considered a rising star in the Democratic Party, said in an email Wednesday he is not planning a run.

“It is an honored to be mentioned, and is a reflection of an amazing team at the City (of Tuscaloosa),” he said.

Former Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, whose 2006 win was one of the last statewide victories by a Democrat, also ruled herself out of the race Wednesday.

“I am, however, seriously examining the possible support that I would receive if I offer myself as a candidate for Governor as a Democrat in 2018,” Cobb wrote in an email.

Former House Minority Leader Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, also said he would not seek the Senate seat, saying he was looking at a run for state Senate or governor next year.

Candidates will have a little more than three weeks to decide to challenge Strange or change their minds. The deadline for filing papers declaring candidacy is May 17.