Gov. Kay Ivey is considering setting a special election for Alabama’s U.S. Senate seat that former Gov. Robert Bentley had delayed until late next year. The vacancy, currently filled by Bentley-appointee Luther Strange, came when the Senate confirmed Jeff Sessions as U.S. attorney general. As governor, Bentley had sole discretion on when to schedule the special election and he chose to include it in the next general election in November 2018. With Ivey ascending to governor, there has been a new call for the special election to be set sooner. Ivey’s office said Wednesday she is “still evaluating” the idea and has not made a decision yet.
Bentley received criticism over the lateness of the special election with some saying Strange could become entrenched in the seat before ever being elected. State Auditor Jim Zeigler filed a lawsuit challenging Bentley’s date for the special election.
State law calls for the governor to set the special election “forthwith.” That wording left open the window to schedule the special election next year, Bentley has said.
Full Article: Gov. Kay Ivey ‘evaluating’ earlier special election for Senate seat held by Luther Strange | AL.com.