Democrat Doug Jones’ victory in the Alabama Senate race dashed Republicans’ hard-fought efforts to keep the open seat and retain their narrow, two-seat majority. But GOP leaders already are angling to convince Jones to back their legislative agenda, hoping he’ll be willing to buck his own party to retain support from the state’s largely conservative voters.
“I hope Senator-elect Doug Jones will do the right thing and truly represent Alabama by choosing to vote with the Senate Republican majority,” said Colorado GOP Sen. Cory Gardner, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
Jones’ narrow victory over Republican Roy Moore marks the first time in 25 years that Alabama voters have elected a Democratic senator. The Fox News Voter Analysis shows he won with support from black, young and female voters. But Jones was no doubt aided by the sexual misconduct allegations against Republican Roy Moore. And Alabama remains a deep red state; 62 percent of Alabama voters picked Republican President Trump in 2016.
“I think Jones is going to be highly cognizant that he’s representing the state of Alabama,” Democratic strategist Douglas Smith said Tuesday. “The wildcard is will [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell find things to bring him on board.”
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