Polls indicate that Alabama Senate hopeful Katie Britt appears to have locked up first place in the Alabama primary, but it does not seem likely that she will earn a large enough percentage of votes to avoid a run-off election against whoever finishes in second place.
Britt, outgoing Alabama Senator Richard Shelby’s former chief of staff, currently leads the pack with 37% based on one recent poll from McLaughlin & Associates. In second place is Congressman Mo Brooks (R-AL) with 25%, and in third sits Mike Durant with 24%. Another poll indicates that Britt’s lead may only be 31% to Brooks’ 29% with Durant receiving 24% of the vote.
Brooks had previously had the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, but he yanked that support after Brooks told his followers to move on from the presidential election. Britt in turn has been marketing herself as the true “America First” candidate.
“Not only am I the only candidate in the race who’s actually voted for the president every single time he’s been on the ballot, but also I’ve had the opportunity to work on the America First agenda. I understand it. I know what it means,” Britt claimed in a recent interview with Fox News.
Britt added that she has relayed to Trump why she’s “the best candidate to advance the America First agenda.” The Alabama frontrunner is also clearly making this a campaign against President Joe Biden’s record.
“Everyone has seen that our country was moving in the right direction under President Trump, and now under Joe Biden it is a disaster. I mean, there is no doubt that we are weaker and more vulnerable every single day that Joe Biden is the president,” Britt added.
Brooks, meanwhile, has received the support of folks like Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rand Paul (R-KY).
“When it comes to Donald Trump, every Republican candidate on earth professes their allegiance to President Trump,” Cruz told an audience recently. “The reason I’m here is because I’ve seen this man stand and fight. Talk is cheap,” he added in praise of Brooks’ policies.
Women for America First, a non-profit dedicated to advancing America First principles, also endorsed Brooks.
“We know he’s the best candidate to represent the state of Alabama while working to Make America Great Again,” Women for America First chairman Amy Kremer said in a statement on Monday. He has a battle-tested record of being a conservative fighter. If elected, he will continue that work with other conservatives in the US Senate to defend our Constitutional rights.”
“Mike believes that President Trump was the first President in his lifetime who always pushed for policies that put America first,” Durant’s campaign website said. “That’s because he knows that America is more than just a country – it is a beacon of hope and freedom for the entire world.” If one candidate were to win 50% or more of the vote on Tuesday, then they would be the GOP nominee.
If not, then the primary run-off election will be on June 21. Other candidates in the race include Lillie Boddie, Karla DuPriest, and Jake Schafer.