Alabama's new governor orders speedier election to replace Sessions

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

POLITICS | Tue Apr 18, 2017 | 2:48pm EDT

Alabama's new governor orders speedier election to replace Sessions

By Bernie Woodall

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday moved up the election to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by now-U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to December because she said the original plan to hold it in late 2018 was not soon enough to meet state law.

Ivey last week replaced fellow Republican Robert Bentley as governor after he resigned amid impeachment proceedings in the legislature.

Bentley had appointed Republican Luther Strange in February to fill the seat Sessions held before joining President Donald Trump's cabinet. Citing concerns about the cost of a special election, Bentley opted to wait until the 2018 general election for voters to elect Sessions' replacement.

The state's new governor said Alabama law required a speedier timetable. The primary election will now be held on Aug. 15 and the general vote will be Dec. 12, Ivey's office said.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-alabama-politics-idUSKBN17K2A7

[louis-t]

1. I think they know that by then, the party will be

ashes.

[Qutzupalotl]

2. We had better field a candidate.

We can't afford to write off a single pickup opportunity.