Former Miss Alabama and Miss America Heather Whitestone McCallum has confirmed to Yellowhammer News that she is considering a run for the United States Senate seat currently held by Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) in 2020.

“Alabama has given so much to me. It would definitely be an honor to give back to the people of my state,” Whitestone said in a statement Wednesday evening. “That being said, it is something my husband John and I are praying about.”

This came in direct response to Yellowhammer News’ Tuesday report about a poll being conducted by “RPM Research” that tests the waters on a potential Whitestone Republican candidacy.

So far, Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1) is the only declared Republican candidate in the 2020 Senate race.

Alabama Republican Party Chairman Terry Lathan told Talk 99.5’s “Matt & Aunie Show” this week that she expects more candidates to enter the race soon.

With qualifying “probably” opening in October, Lathan said, “If folks are going to get in the U.S. Senate race, they’re going to have to be making some moves and some plans right now. And I think some are doing that.”

“We’re going to have more [candidates] popping up soon… There’s some probably coming sooner than some folks would imagine,” she advised. “And I think there’s others thinking about it.”

Alabama’s primary election will be held on March 3, 2020.

Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn