adminAfter several months delay due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Alabama’s Primary Election season finally came to a close. This cycle has been busier than normal with two open congressional seats and a contested U.S. Senate seat.
In the Mobile-based 1st Congressional District, LSCU-endorsed County Commission President Jerry Carl defeated State Sen. Bill Hightower for the GOP nomination with 52% of the vote to 47%. Carl will now face James Averhart who bested Kiani Gardner in the Democratic Primary Runoff. Political insiders rate this seat as a Safe Republican Seat.
Former state representative Barry Moore won the GOP nomination over Houston County businessman Jeff Coleman garnering 60% of the vote in the race for the 2nd Congressional district. Moore will now face retired teacher Phyllis Harvey-Hall in the General Election; however, this district is also rated as a Safe Republican Seat.
Former Auburn football coach Tommy Tuberville defeated former U.S. Senator and Attorney General Jeff Sessions for the GOP nomination for U.S Senate in a race that garnered national media attention. President Trump was heavily involved in this race. He endorsed Tuberville the day after the March primary, planned a campaign stop in Mobile before the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation, and the two met in Dallas and then held a joint tele-town hall two days before the Election. Sessions drew the ire of Trump and many Republicans when he recused himself from the DOJ’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 elections. Tuberville will now face Sen. Doug Jones in the general election. Most political observers rate this race Likely Republican.
In this election, LSCU had a 50% success rate of endorsed candidates. Candidates were interviewed during Zoom meetings and then vetted at the Board meeting in June. The LSCU will continue to support credit union friendly candidates as we move to the General Election. Please feel free to reach any member of the Advocacy Team with any questions.
