After U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) on Monday announced he would not seek reelection to a seventh term in 2022, candidates from both parties started circling the waters in the nascent race to succeed Alabama’s longest serving senator.

However, U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), is already emphasizing that the seat will stay red.

“Senator Shelby will retire as one of the finest statesmen that the state of Alabama has ever seen,” Scott said in a statement.

“From the Alabama legislature, the U.S. House, and his historic 42-year career in the U.S. Senate, Senator Shelby has always put the people of Alabama first. He is a lion of the Senate, and we will all miss his leadership,” he continued.

“After two years of a Democrat-controlled Senate, the people of Alabama will demand Senator Shelby’s successor uphold the same conservative principles that became his trademark,” Scott concluded. “Unfortunately for liberals hoping for another Senate miracle, Alabama’s deep bench of talent will lead Republicans to a resounding victory in 2022, en route to taking back control of the U.S. Senate.”

Speaking of Senate miracles, former U.S. Senator Doug Jones (D-AL) is apparently not considering another bid at this time.

A spokeswoman for Jones told The Montgomery Advertiser that Jones does not have plans to seek Shelby’s seat in 2022.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn