Former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville routed former Attorney General Jeff Sessions in Alabama’s primary runoff election last night, 60% – 39%.
Tuberville will now go on to face Democrat Doug Jones in the general election in November.
Sessions’, a Senator from Alabama for 20 years, left Congress to become President Trump’s Attorney General in 2017. Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation that plagued the Trump administration for more than two years soon after.
President Trump never forgave Sessions for that decision, heavily criticizing Sessions throughout his tenure as AG. It seems Republican voters in Alabama are holding the same grudge.
Trump and Sessions have argued frequently over the race. And this just this week the two sparred once again on Twitter, with Sessions calling Trump’s words “juvenile insults.”
I’ve taken the road less travelled. Not sought fame or fortune. My honor and integrity are far more important than these juvenile insults. Your scandal ridden candidate is too cowardly to debate. As you know, Alabama does not take orders from Washington. https://t.co/1I6ROih43E
— Jeff Sessions (@jeffsessions) July 11, 2020
Trump tweeted his support of Tuberville extensively in the weeks leading up last night’s election, and tweeted praise of the Coach after last night’s race was called.
Wow, just called! @TTuberville – Tommy Tuberville WON big against Jeff Sessions. Will be a GREAT Senator for the incredible people of Alabama. @DougJones is a terrible Senator who is just a Super Liberal puppet for Schumer & Pelosi. Represents Alabama poorly. On to November 3rd.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 15, 2020
Tuberville is now the heavy favorite to win the general election in November in deep-red Alabama.