MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Farmers Federation’s FARMPAC on Tuesday endorsed Tommy Tuberville in the U.S. Senate GOP primary.
More than 130 farming leaders from across the state met at ALFA’s Montgomery headquarters to hear from candidates and decide which to support. In the end, they chose Tuberville, the former Auburn head football coach.
Endorsements in several other races were also made.
“Alabama Farmers Federation was founded to give farmers a voice in the political process and to advocate for issues important to rural families,” Federation President Jimmy Parnell said in a written statement. “Candidates are eager to meet with this group because they understand the value of the FarmPAC endorsement. As representatives of rural communities across this state, these county leaders reflect the values, concerns and hopes of many Alabamians.”
The Farmers Federation endorsement is a big boost for Tuberville as he seeks elected office for the first time. For decades, ALFA has been known for grass roots organization via its extensive network of producers throughout the state. Previous endorsements have been decisive in close races, and last year 161 of 163 ALFA-endorsed candidates won their elections.
Tuberville is the only Senate candidate in the race without a political background but has described his life in college football as “being in politics for the last 40 years.”
In a recent internal poll from Tuberville’s campaign showed him leading in the polls with 33% of the vote among Republican voters.
The other GOP candidates are U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, Secretary of State John Merrill, former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore and state Rep. Arnold Mooney.
Byrne has been in Congress since 2014. Before that, he served in the Alabama state senate from 2003 to 2007 and was the chancellor of the Alabama Community College System.
Merrill is currently serving his second term as secretary of state. He previously served as state representative for one term.
Mooney was first elected in 2014 and won reelection last November. Mooney has been a commercial realtor for about 40 years as well as being the chairman for U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks campaign in 2017.
Moore infamously lost to current U.S. Sen. Doug Jones in the 2017 special election after Moore was accused of sexual misconduct with teenagers. He continues to deny those allegations.
Jones became the first Democrat to win a statewide office in Alabama since 2008. His seat is considered to be one of the most at risk especially in a state where Trump won handedly in 2016, but Jones is touting himself as a moderate and is a proponent of expanding Medicaid in the state.
Primaries are March 3, 2020.
Other FarmPAC endorsements Tuesday were:
- Donald Trump, president
- Brad Mendheim, Alabama Supreme Court, Place 2
- Bill Thompson, Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Place 1
- Matt Fridy, Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Place 2
- Mary Windom, Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 1
- Beth Kellum, Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 2
- Twinkle Cavanaugh, Alabama Public Service Commission president.