2017 U.S. Senate special election

The 2017 U.S. Senate special election was a statewide special election held in order to fill the seat left vacant by Jeff Sessions' appointment as Attorney General of the United States in January 2017.

When he appointed Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange to the vacant seat, Governor Robert Bentley announced that no special election would be held prior to the scheduled November 2018 general election. State Auditor Jim Zeigler and retired District Attorney Tommy Chapman filed a lawsuit against Bentley arguing that the State Constitution required a special election to be held "forthwith," and that 21 months did not meet that requirement.

After Bentley pleaded guilty to crimes relating to his use of campaign funds he was removed from office and succeeded by Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey. After some deliberation, she decided to schedule a special election for the earliest practical date. The Alabama State Finance Director estimated the cost of holding the elections at $15 million, spread over two fiscal years.

Party primaries are scheduled for August 15, with a runoff, if needed, on September 26. The special election itself will take place on December 12.

Candidates

• Democratic
  • Ron Crumpton
  • Doug Jones
  • Robert Kennedy Jr
• Republican
  • Randy Brinson
  • Dominic Gentile
  • Ed Henry
  • Roy Moore
  • Luther Strange

References

• Sharp, Jon (January 5, 2017) "No special election to replace Sessions; Bentley says move could save $16 million" al.com
• Cason, Mike (April 18, 2017) "Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey moves U.S. Senate election to this year." The Birmingham News

External links

• United States Senate special election in Alabama, 2017 at ballotpedia.org