Officially announcing his candidacy yesterday is state Rep. Ed Henry (R), the man who led the impeachment effort against former Gov. Robert Bentley (R). Also indicating he will decide within a week, and it appears he is leaning heavily toward running, is state Senate President Del Marsh (R). Ex-state Rep. Perry Hooper (R) and former state Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore (R) both say they are considering entering. Signals coming from US Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) and Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) suggest that they, too, could become Senate candidates. Reps. Bradley Byrne (R-Mobile) and Mike Rogers (R-Anniston) are additional possibilities.
The new primary election is scheduled for August 15th, with run-offs, if necessary, pegged for September 26th. The special general will be December 12th. The candidate filing period is now established and will end May 17th, though the state parties have the option of posting an earlier deadline.
--Jim Ellis