TRUSSVILLE — If you have been paying attention in recent days, you may have noticed the trend of the candidates vying for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in Alabama attacking one another, noting their flaws regarding their support from President Donald Trump and other hot-button issues like immigration and veterans issues.
U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Fairhope) and his campaign have certainly been participants, putting out an ad attacking rivals former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville last weekend. He also put out another spot noting Tuberville’s remarks attacking Trump for his handling of veterans’ issues back in August 2019.
Following a meet-and-greet session at the Trussville Civic Center, Byrne discussed that trend with Yellowhammer News, downplaying it and attributing it to the natural progression of a campaign cycle.
“I don’t consider it to be so much negative as everybody is trying to make their differentiation from the other person,” he said. “That’s natural in a campaign. So, I’m not bothered by it at all. In fact, I think it is good when people say, ‘What’s the difference between this guy and this guy?’ We’re right in the middle of that. We think that we’re winning that argument. That’s the word we’re getting back from people. And this is the time for us to be talking about that with the folks of the state of Alabama, so they get the information they need to make their decision.”
Byrne acknowledged efforts to show the candidates’ support for Trump but also said questions also remain about Tuberville’s stance on immigration.
“That’s a part of it,” he said. “But they’re also interested in some key issues, too. And I can tell you right now this issue about Tommy Tuberville’s position on amnesty is a key issue. And so we’re going to keep telling people about his position on that and let him explain why he doesn’t think that’s amnesty.”
The Baldwin County Republican said he expected to do well in Trussville and all of Jefferson County.
“We’ve been here a number of times — we’ve got a good support base here,” Byrne added. “We’ve got good support here and all over Jefferson County. We feel good about Jefferson County.”
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly and host of Huntsville’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 2-5 p.m. on WVNN.
