Sessions heads to runoff in Ala. race
MOBILE, Ala. — President Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at his former attorney general Jeff Sessions as the Alabama Republican advanced to a primary runoff for his old Senate seat in Alabama.
Mr. Sessions securely held the Alabama Senate seat for two decades, but was forced into a runoff with a political newcomer after being wounded by Mr. Trump’s prior criticisms of Mr. Sessions’ recusal in the Russia investigation.
The newest criticisms by Mr. Trump, who previously had been largely quiet on the race, could further damage Mr. Sessions’ hopes of a political resurrection in the state where he had been a conservative icon.
Mr. Sessions fell short of winning the GOP nomination and will face former college football coach Tommy Tuberville in a Republican runoff. The winner of their March 31 runoff will face incumbent Democratic Sen. Doug Jones as Republicans try to reclaim the Senate seat in the once reliably red state.
Mr. Sessions gave up the Senate seat when he was appointed Mr. Trump’s attorney general, a position from which he was forced to resign after his recusal from the Russia inquiry sparked blistering criticism from the president.
Mr. Trump weighed in on the Alabama race Wednesday morning.
“This is what happens to someone who loyally gets appointed Attorney General of the United States & then doesn’t have the wisdom or courage to stare down & end the phony Russia Witch Hunt. Recuses himself on FIRST DAY in office, and the Mueller Scam begins!” Mr. Trump wrote in a tweet.
Mr. Sessions, 73, had maintained loyalty to Mr. Trump throughout the race and in his Tuesday night speech, noting that he was the first U.S senator to endorse Mr. Trump in 2016.