The conservative Club for Growth is endorsing former Auburn University football coach Tommy Tuberville in the Alabama Senate GOP primary runoff, joining President Donald Trump in backing Tuberville over former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Tuberville and Sessions are facing off in a March 31 runoff after finishing in the top two spots in the primary earlier this month. The winner will run against Democratic Sen. Doug Jones this fall.
David McIntosh, the Club's president, told POLITICO in an interview that they considered both Tuberville and Sessions strong conservatives, but recognized the importance of Trump's endorsement in the race, which helped them decide to back the former football coach.
"I think both of them can win, but I think if Trump is not fully on board it becomes harder. And he's made it clear that Tuberville is his pick," McIntosh said.
"Looking forward to the fall, we have to make sure that we win this general election and beat Doug Jones," he added. "Everyone is saying, 'It's so Republican, we should be able to do that.' But if we're split because Trump is on the other side and doesn't really like Sessions, that could make it very hard."
The conservative organization was heavily involved in the race ahead of the March 3 primary, but their spending was focused on negative ads against Rep. Bradley Byrne, who finished third in the race. McIntosh said he expected the group to be involved financially in the runoff, but it was not yet clear at what level.
A poll commissioned by the Club last week showed Tuberville with a narrow lead, 49 percent to 45 percent, with just six percent if likely voters undecided. But the poll, which came prior to Trump's endorsement, also asked voters what they would do if Trump were to endorse Tuberville, and found his lead extending to 24 percentage points.
"If the polls shift the way we anticipate they are, we might need to do less," McIntosh said. "If they don't, and it's a close race, we'll do more."
Sessions also got a big boost late last week when the political arm of the NRA endorsed his bid.
2020-03-16 13:30:25Z
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/03/16/club-for-growth-endorses-tommy-tuberville-131763
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