By TODD STACY, Alabama Daily News
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Former President Donald Trump attacked U.S. Senate candidate Katie Britt Saturday while asking voters to support his endorsed candidate, Congressman Mo Brooks.
In an abrupt statement Saturday evening, the former president called Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell an “Old Crow” who was helping push the candidacy of Britt, whom Trump called an “assistant” to Sen. Richard Shelby.
Britt was formerly chief of staff to Shelby as he was chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“She is not in any way qualified and is certainly not what our country needs,” Trump’s statement read. “For Mitch McConnell to be wasting money on her campaign is absolutely outrageous. Vote for Mo Brooks!”
Inbox: Donald Trump takes jab at U.S. Senate hopeful Katie Britt —
“I see that the RINO Senator from Alabama, close friend of Old Crow Mitch McConnell, Richard Shelby, is pushing hard to have his “assistant” fight the great Mo Brooks for his Senate seat…”#alpolitics #ALSen pic.twitter.com/1zGv5YsGdm
— Jeff Poor (@jeff_poor) July 10, 2021
Britt dismissed the sudden swipe as a proxy attack from Brooks in response to her impressive fundraising haul announced last week. Britt raised more than $2.2 million for her campaign in less than a month.
“I don’t need anyone else to fight my battles,” Britt said in video posted to Twitter.
What we’re seeing today is a reaction to the incredible momentum that continues to build for our campaign.
Some more thoughts from the trail:#alpolitics #BrittForAlabama #AlabamaFirst pic.twitter.com/h8gYzjVYyn
— Katie Britt for AL (@KatieBrittforAL) July 11, 2021
“What we’re seeing now is a reaction to the incredible momentum that continues to build for our campaign. My opponent is obviously panicked. He’s been in elected office for 40 years, but the people of Alabama are eager for a real conservative choice and someone who’s going to bring change to D.C. My opponent lost statewide in 2006. He lost again statewide in 2017. And he’s going to lose in 2022, because our Alabama First team is on the road to victory.
“As Alabama’s next U.S. Senator, I won’t be a rubber stamp for anyone.”
Brooks ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2006. He also ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in a 2017 special election.
Former U.S. Ambassador Lynda Blanchard and businesswoman Jessica Taylor are also running for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. The primary election is May 24.