Like Jeff Sessions, some lawmakers angle for another coastal Senator

Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) speaks at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. (Photo: Screenshot)
Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) speaks at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. (Photo: Screenshot)
Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) speaks at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. (Photo: Screenshot)

Just days after Donald Trump confirmed that he would tap Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as his Attorney General, the “race” for Senator Jeff Sessions’ seat has begun to heat up. Already, reports have flooded of lawmakers from across the state that have begun vying for Governor Bentley’s attention.

Governor Bentley now faces the decision to appoint a new Senator or call for a quick special election to take place. Considering the cost to hold a special election ahead of 2018- an estimated $4 million- it is especially likely that Bentley will appoint an interim lawmaker to fill Sessions’ empty seat.

Now, a new facet to the debate has emerged. According to AL.com, coastal lawmakers are urging the Governor to consider an appointee that would not only share Senator Sessions’ seat, but also his coastal home-region. To them, it only makes sense- Senator Richard Shelby is originally from Tuscaloosa. They argue that a senator from the area should be familiar with the issues and challenges specific to their area.

State Rep. Chris Pringle (R- Mobile) told AL.com that the locality of Alabama’s next Senator should be an “important consideration.” State Rep. Randy Davis (R- Daphne) agreed.

“Naturally, we would hope that would be part of the decision that the governor could consider in that Jeff’s work here when he was U.S. Attorney gave him the strong understanding of the region, the economics of the region and the population of the region,” Rep. Davis said.

Several state lawmakers from the state’s Gulf Coast could be considered for the post. Potential appointees from the area include State Senator Tripp Pittman (R- Montrose). Others- like Congressman Bradley Byrne and State Senator Rusty Glover (R- Semmes) have flatly stated that they’re not interested in the post.

Recent in Politics

Alabama’s two U.S. senators are backing new bipartisan legislation aimed at increasing transparency in the prescription drug supply chain by requiring country-of-origin labeling on medications and their key ingredients. U.S. Sens. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) have joined colleagues in introducing the Consumer Labeling for Enhanced API Reporting and Legitimate Accountability for Base […]

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is asking for more Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to come down to the Yellowhammer State. Marshall is asking for the Trump administration’s help to enforce the law after an illegal immigrant was arrested in connection with the disappearance of a mother and two of her children. Democrats won’t […]